A review of the role of active labour market policies in Ireland

This chapter reviews the role of active labour market policies in Ireland and the contribution they can make to alleviating unemployment. It provides a synopsis of the positive and negative effects associated with employment schemes. The chapter presents a brief overview of the current system of programmes on offer in Ireland, with particular emphasis on Foras Aiseanna Saothair (FAS) schemes. FAS works with the business community both in the re-training of existing employees and in the provision of skills needed by recruits seeking employment in Irish businesses. The chapter considers the major studies which have attempted to evaluate particular training and employment programmes. Programmes, by maintaining the skills and search efficiency of the unemployed, reduce the risks of long term unemployment and keep up competition for the available jobs. The substitution effect is associated with subsidised employment and job creation programmes and subsidised employment of various target groups.