Changes to the social welfare system: what's happening?

24 Jan 2012

Changes to the social welfare system: what's happening?

A news report today talks about the introduction of a 'Prediction of Exit Date' which if an unemployed person does not meet that he or she will have their Jobseekers payment cut. This story is in stark contrast to the description of PEX outlined last autumn in the Department of Social Protection's "Project Plan for the Development and Implementation of the 'National Employment and Entitlement Service'". In this report PEX stands for the 'probability of exit score' which will be calculated for each client based on his or her "work experience, educational attainment, length of time on the LR and age." If a person gets a low PEX score then the Department will view that person as someone in need of a significant level of supports to access education or training or employment. If a person gets a high score then she or he will be seen as someone who is 'self-serving' who will access their supports on-line.

The INOU understands that this description still stands and should assist the Department to provide the most appropriate service to each client. Next week the Department will publish their "Pathways to Work" document which was announced in the last Budget. At that time the Government also committed to a multi-annual Action Plan on Jobs, with quarterly targets and a strict implementation process. Action on jobs is absolutely critical or the Department of Social Protection will have very little, including hope, to offer unemployed people.

For more information contact the INOU on 01 - 856 0088 our use our Contact Us form.