Participation rates among long-term unemployed women in Community Employment (CE) schemes is almost double that of men, according to an internal FAS report which has been seen by The Irish Times. The survey also found that 8,476 out of 19,174 women in CE schemes, 44 per cent, were lone parents.
Women on CE schemes tend to be much younger than male participants and to have spent much less time on the dole. Last month women comprised 48 per cent of the 39,934 participants in CE schemes, although they comprise only 32 per cent of those listed on the live register as long-term unemployed (LTU). Of those signing on for three years or more, women constitute only 26 per cent.
About 69 per cent of women on CE were not receiving long-term unemployment benefits, but were in receipt of other payments. In contrast, 75 per cent of men on CE were receiving long-term unemployment assistance.
The survey confirms anecdotal evidence that CE schemes are proving far more attractive for LTU women than men, although the programme was set up to target the predominantly male LTU population.
One reason for the high female participation is that FAS must try, under Government equality regulations, to achieve gender balance in all the schemes it sponsors.
Another is that women are undoubtedly under-represented in the overall unemployment figures. Women whose male partner is working or claiming welfare entitlements have little financial incentive for signing on. The study says these factors on their own are not enough to explain the discrepancy. "One possible factor may be that the part-time nature of the work provided under CE is relatively attractive to women who wish to combine employment with child-care activities," the report says.
"In addition, much of the work provided by CE now involves community or social services, occupations in which women tend to predominate in open market employment."
The age profile of men and women on CE schemes is also very different. Some 9,766 of the 20,760 men are over 44, while only 3,430 of the 19,174 women are in that category. In the 20-24 age group there are 2,992 women in CE schemes, compared with 933 men. In the lone-parent category there are 8,476 women and only 273 men. That high proportion skews the figures, but the report says that even if they are excluded, women participate in CE at a much higher rate than men.
The report says the percentage of women participating in mainstream FAS training schemes, such as Specific Skills, Job Training and Enterprise Training, has reached 50 per cent. But another recent FAS report shows that the number of long-term unemployed in such schemes is falling.
The report has gone to FAS for consideration as part of an ongoing labour market review. Its findings will reinforce the case for more resources to be put into providing specific skills training for the long-term unemployed.