asked the Minister for Labour if he will make a statement on the way in which the Jobsearch programme has operated to date; and if he has satisfied himself on the basis of the progress to date that the targets for participation as outlined in the budget will be obtained.

The Jobsearch programme commenced operation, on a limited basis, on 6 April 1987 and became fully operational on 4 May 1987. The elements in the Jobsearch programme for which the Manpower agencies are responsible are: (1) interviewing 150,000 people on the live register; (2) placing 40,000 in manpower opportunities; (3) providing places for 12,000 people on special Jobsearch courses.

Since the inception of the Jobsearch programme to 22 May, a total of 17,893 people have been interviewed by the National Manpower Service. Of these, 5,822 have been referred to opportunities in either manpower programmes, job vacancies or AnCO-sponsored Jobsearch courses and 1,844 had been placed in such opportunities. The numbers placed will increase as the AnCO-sponsored Jobsearch courses build up to their full capacity and as people from the live register replace current participants completing their allotted period on existing manpower programmes.

The names of 1,736 people who have either failed to attend for an interview, refused a reasonable offer of an opportunity or were unreasonably unco-operative on manpower programmes or Jobsearch courses have been submitted to the Department of Social Welfare.

Only three weeks have elapsed since the programme became fully operational. It is, however, the intention to do all possible to meet the targets of the programme. Participation levels are being monitored by my Department on a weekly basis. If there is any evidence of slippage from targets the question of remedial action will be considered.

First, has any single job actually been created out of this scheme to date? Secondly, in what areas does the Minister expect vacancies to arise, in view of the fact that the quota allocated under the social employment schemes has been taken up in most of the regions? Thirdly, is the scheme operational in all the Manpower office areas around the country and, fourthly and finally, what happens in the case of a notified person who does not turn up for interview on the first occasion? Does that person get a second interview and if he does not turn up on that occasion is he then removed from the eligibility list for unemployment assistance or benefit?

The question of people being submitted for interview is for the Department of Social Welfare. Guidelines are issued to the NMS offices. There is a very long list. If the Deputy wishes to have this information, I can make it available to him. I have been monitoring the Jobsearch scheme on a weekly basis and people initially are not over-happy about being called in, although a number are declaring an interest in this scheme. Depending on the success and on the instructors and people involved, there can be a great degree of encouragement. The whole scheme is operating on a positive basis. It is to try to motivate people who are on long-term unemployment and who are not getting anywhere as far as obtaining a job is concerned and who feel the agencies are not giving them any opportunity. The course is a motivation course to assist them. I have seen in a number of other schemes how this would work. The first four week course has just been completed in certain areas and people are coming back with other ideas, how to become involved in social employment schemes in other areas, in incentive schemes in their own areas, in Teamwork schemes and there are others moving into co-operatives. In some rural areas, through local co-operation of the community, industries in the area are asked to take one or two people from the course and in some of the rural areas about 15 people have been on the first course and five or six have got jobs straight from it. I cannot say that percentage rate would follow everywhere, but there are a number of positive elements. As it goes on there will be an attempt to increase the number of areas of involvment. Difficulties and initial problems are being ironed out. I believe the scheme can be quite successful. There is a very small section of people who are objecting fundamentally to the scheme.