Government fills just 781 of 3,000 places on Gateway scheme

The Government has filled less than 800 places on its Gateway job activation programme in the last 20 months, yet still believes it can reach its 3,000 target by year-end.

Social Protection Minister Joan Burton confirmed that, as of September 19, 781 places had been taken up on the scheme.

Under the terms of the Gateway initiative, dole claimants who have been on the Live Register for more than two years are paid an extra €20 per week on top of their jobseeker’s allowance to work for city and county councils.