Information campaign for jobless launched

A number of new information leaflets that are designed to assist the unemployed have been published.

The leaflets, which have been produced by the Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed (INOU), were unveiled by Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs Pat Carey in Dublin this afternoon.

The leaflets cover a number of different subjects including welfare rights, education and training options and a guide to becoming self-employed.

Announcing the new leaflets, Mr Carey said the Government continued to place special emphasis on the development of disadvantaged communities by working with groups such as the INOU to try to tackle issues such as long-term unemployment and social exclusion.

“The changed circumstances in which we live today require a sharpening of focus for us all in terms of addressing the nature of the problems which now present themselves," he said.

"In response to the changing context in which disadvantage is being experienced, my department is reaffirming the concentration of the focus of its resources on communities where disadvantage and isolation still prevails," Mr Carey added.

"Effective support at local and community level is the constant that we seek in a rapidly changing society."