Mr. Niall Egan:

I thank Senator Wall. In relation to my reference in my opening statement to the postponement, the Department will be writing later today and early tomorrow to all existing local employment service and jobs club contractors that are going to be covered under phase 2 informing them of the need, because of some of the feedback we received from the meeting of 17 September with the ILDA, Fórsa and SIPTU, to give more time for the sector to work together and collaborate, and for partnerships to be developed. On foot of that, we will be writing to them informing them that we will be giving them a new contract for the first six months of next year. However, as I said in the opening statement, we are planning to proceed and go ahead with the request for tender for phase 2, with that tender to be issued before year end. It is important the time is used and is used well. We are happy to engage constructively and positively with those stakeholders between now and before that tender is issued. I know a previous speaker said there has been no or little engagement, but we have engaged extensively with the sector on it since 2018. We have listened very much to what it has had to say about the design and structure we are implementing.

The Senator asked a question about the value put on the 25 years of experience within the sector and the relationships that have been built up with local employers. We are very aware of that. We know the excellent service our existing service partners provide in that regard. We know that experience cannot be replicated by anyone else coming new to the market. That is why we have, within the RFT, specifically designated so many marks, in terms of the award criteria as part of the evaluation process, to that social value, those existing relationships, and that local community network in relation to the sector. That is an opportunity for those in the sector to put their best foot forward about their past experience and proven track record and their abilities to access other State supports available outside of the Department that can ultimately lead to a wrap-around service, whether that be health supports, supports via SICAP, or other supports via my Department or other Departments. We have not come up with a single metric for what that value is, but we believe we have reflected that value in the structure of the RFT under phase 1. I do not see a direct comparison with the figure of €311 for the JobPath referral, but I may I have mistaken that point. If I have, I am happy to clarify.