The Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise and Employment, Ms Harney, is expected to announce details of a £1 billion plan to tackle long-term unemployment today. It aims to reduce unemployment from the current 9 per cent to seven 7 per cent by 2000.
Details of the plan were revealed by RTE last night. It will target young unemployed, those under 25 initially and then older workers on the Live Register. Over £600 million will be invested in training and educational supports and £400 million in Community Employment schemes.
A further £2.6 million will be spent on improving childcare facilities and £3 million on creating better access to employment for those with disabilities. FAS is also to receive extra funding of over £60 million.