382. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of young persons who participated in the youth employment support scheme to date by county in a tabular form. [50733/19]

383. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the budget of the youth employment support scheme in 2018 and 2019; the expenditure of the scheme in each year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50734/19]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 382 and 383 together.

The Youth Employment Support Scheme (YESS) was introduced on 1st October 2018. YESS is targeted at young jobseekers aged between 18 and 24 who are long-term unemployed or who face barriers to employment.

The scheme aims to provide jobseekers with the opportunity to learn basic work and social skills in a supportive environment while on a work placemen. YESS will provide a supportive structure for participants, including case worker support for both placement hosts and jobseekers.

Since the scheme's inception, a total of 594 people have commenced a placement. There are currently 242 participants on the YESS. A breakdown of the number of persons that have participated in the YESS to date by county is outlined in the table below.

The budget allocation for YESS during 2018 was €1million with an outturn on expenditure of €33,350. The budget allocated for 2019 was initially €5million, but was reduced to €800,000 as part of the revised supplementary estimate. The YESS expenditure for 2019 to end October is €539,954.17. The variance is allocation and expenditure in both years reflects the lower than anticipated take up of opportunities among employers and young people.

Strenuous efforts are being made to grow awareness among employers and young people of the scheme including a dedicated week of action in September 2019, the promotion the scheme among employers across a range of sectors and their representative bodies but especially during the Employer Roadshow over August and September 2019 and numerous other local events convened specifically to encourage participation in the scheme.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.