‘Employers not looking at Intreo centre as asset’

Employers are reluctant to hire the long-term unemployed and more must be done to encourage them, according to the new junior social protection minister Kevin Humphreys.

Intreo employment and welfare offices are having difficulties encouraging companies to take on people who are out of work for 12 months or longer, he said.

The new minister, who will spearhead the Government’s job activation measures, has announced a national consultation process in order to boost the involvement of employers in work schemes.