ESF news

ESF Operational programme for Ireland adopted

25/02/2015

Investments will focus on getting people back into jobs and on creating opportunities for young people and disadvantaged groups

The Irish Operational Programme "Employability, Inclusion and Learning" for the implementation of the ESF in the period 2014-2020 outlines the priorities and objectives to invest over €1.15 billion (of which €610 million from the EU budget, including €68 million from the Youth Employment Initiative), to promote employment, social inclusion and skills.

The programme is strongly focused on helping the unemployed to return to the labour market, with particular attention to youth and long-term unemployed people. Investments will be focused on four main areas:

• Access to employment
• Social inclusion, by improving employability and promoting equal opportunities
• Education, including initiatives for very low skilled people and for disadvantaged and disabled students
• Implementation of the Youth Employment Initiative

The programme aims at supporting 167 000 participants through up- and re-skilling actions, 79 000 beneficiaries of social inclusion measures, and up to 712 000 very low skilled people and disadvantaged and disabled students.