Letter to the Editor: Jobless schemes not fit for purpose

File picture: Denis Minihane.

Various media sources are suggesting that the Government will vastly increase the number of places on activation schemes, in the forthcoming budget (e.g. Community Employment). This is proposed, as a response to the high level of unemployment caused by Covid-19. Several politicians and business figures have been calling for such a measure.

All of these people need to think again because activation schemes, as they are currently operated, are not fit for purpose. The stated purpose of activation schemes is to help the long-term unemployed get training and work experience that would help them find a decent paying job and ideally, a job or career for the long-term.