New measures to tackle rising unemployment have been called for by the Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed, which says Government policies on the issue are "inadequate and inconsistent".
In a four-page analysis, the INOU says unemployment has been consistently rising for two years. Existing measures, such as the action plan drawn up to tackle long-term unemployment, are meeting with only limited success, it says.
The action plan, implemented to meet EU requirements, targets people aged between 18 and 54 who have been unemployed for more than six months. Under the plan, candidates are referred to Fás by the Department of Social and Family Affairs once they have reached the six-month threshold.
While numbers referred have increased dramatically over the past two years, the INOU says, its success has been limited. The number of participants being placed in a job or educational programme has steadily dropped from an "already low" figure of 27 per cent in 2001 to 21 per cent in 2003".
The INOU claims the scheme's success is being hindered by cutbacks in community employment schemes, and other programmes. It is also calling for a review of the Government's job-creation strategy, more resources for agencies like Enterprise Ireland, and specific supports for women and ethnic minorities.