Inclusive labour markets. The links between work and poverty are well-established; employment is critical as a route out of poverty. Ireland faces a number of challenges in addressing unemployment and high poverty risks, particularly for the long-term unemployed, for in-work families (especially lone parent families) and for jobless households. Measures include: The long-term unemployed - The further roll-out and development of the ‘one-stop shop’ model of integrated employment and support services (called Intreo) allowing jobseekers to access their entitlements and get help with planning their return to work. New individualised and group engagement processes have been developed, including profiling of all new clients to determine their probability of exit from the Live Register; and implementation of a new personal progression plan. Jobless households - Jobless households, in particular households with lone parents, face particularly high poverty risks. Major structural reforms have already been initiated which will impact on these households including labour market activation for the long term unemployed and the reform of the One Parent Family Payment. Considering other groups furthest from the labour market- The Government is considering the appropriate direction of active inclusion policy and especially inclusive labour markets. This includes the consideration of those groups furthest from the labour market, such as carers, the position of second earners especially in low income households and those with a disability. These groups face a number of additional barriers to entering employment, ranging from individual circumstances, health issues, education and training needs, as well as demand-side issues and ensuring that work pays.
