Responsibility for FÁS was transferred this week from the Department of Education and Skills under Minister Mary Hanafin into the control of Éamon Ó Cuív Minister for Social Protection, who described the move as “an important step away from a passive model of income support to a proactive model which is clearly focused on progressing people to participation in the workforce”.
“The main objective of the transfer will be to ensure that all people of working age are given the support they need to find employment as quickly as possible or to develop the skills and aptitudes required to progress towards employment by undertaking appropriate education, training or work experience. This objective will be supported by a case management approach allowing suitably trained staff to interact on a one-to-one basis with individuals on developing pathways to employment with clearly defined milestones and targets,” said the Minister.
The staff of the Community Welfare Service, which will continue to operate the supplementary welfare service, also transferred from the HSE to the Department of Social Protection this week.
“My Department is committed to developing and implementing a case management approach with a focus on the individual and the development of a tailored plan for each person,” Minister Ó Cuív added.
“Our vision is one in which skilled and knowledgeable case managers will work with individuals in need, to ensure that they not only receive the appropriate income supports but are also helped to find a way in which they can participate to the fullest extent possible in the community, economy, and workforce. The transfer of the Community Welfare Service, facilitated by the provisions of the Croke Park Public Services Agreement, to my Department will provide a huge impetus to the achievement of that vision.”
Meanwhile, commenting on Live Register figures showing an increase in those signing on in December 2010, Minister O’Cuiv stated: “It is normal for the Live Register to increase in December because of seasonal factors. The increase in December can be attributed to people who are temporarily employed in the educational sector signing on over the holiday period. People who are in full time employment but who do not qualify for holiday pay may have signed on and some businesses temporarily close during the holiday period. The adverse weather conditions in December would also have affected certain sectors, such as the construction sector.”
