THE FUNCTIONS of Tánaiste Mary Coughlan’s department face significant change in next week’s reshuffle.
Ms Coughlan, who is on an official visit to Germany, confirmed yesterday the Government is finalising a plan for a one-stop shop for jobseekers. It would incorporate the functions of State-training agency Fás as well as the benefit-payments functions of the Department of Social and Family Affairs (DSFA).
This could be achieved by either a “re-mandating” of Government departments or the setting up of a new delivery agency, encompassing elements of Fás and the DSFA. If implemented, the plan could result in Ms Coughlan’s Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment handing over its employment competences to the DSFA, which would be rebranded along British lines as the Department of Work and Benefits.
Taoiseach Brian Cowen is reviewing the plan, to be announced as part of his upcoming Cabinet reshuffle, now expected to be announced next Tuesday. It is expected a number of key Government departments will be reconstituted and that at least one may be abolished. This is in addition to the reshuffle of the Cabinet and the appointment of at least two senior ministers.
The new agency, modelled on similar agencies in Britain and Germany, would operate either as a stand-alone body or inside an existing department with a fresh mandate, according to senior sources.
Speaking in Berlin yesterday, Ms Coughlan said: “We really need to change the focus to access to job and training first and then entitlements, a work-first approach.” She said she has been working on this idea since Christmas with Minister for Social and Family Affairs Mary Hanafin. “Instead of dragging someone to an interview three times, you profile them, give them a number of clear options and see how you can progress them,” said Ms Coughlan.
Under the plan, all services would be located in one premises and jobseekers could expect more detailed questioning of their efforts to find work.
The new centres would incorporate services provided currently by the Local Development Social Inclusion Programme and services provided by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.
Ms Coughlan told an audience in Berlin yesterday the Government was committed to €3 billion in fresh cutbacks by 2011, but that public servants would not be the first to be targeted. Asked about her expectations for the reshuffle, Ms Coughlan said: “I like where I am.” Asked if that meant she wanted to stay put, Ms Coughlan added: “I love any challenge that’s given to me.”