Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

No. "Agency services" relates to JobPath. The original Estimate for JobPath for 2015 was €12 million. At the time it was thought that JobPath would commence earlier in 2015 than turned out to be the case. There were many complications around contracts, tendering and so on. Provision was made for a more aggressive roll-out schedule, with multiple locations going live over a shorter period. The contracts were signed on 5 June and the roll-out of services commenced on a soft launch basis in mid-July because that coincided with the holiday period. The soft launch approach was agreed in consultation with JobPath companies to allow more time to secure properties, recruit their staff and develop systems and procedures. The later start date and the soft launch roll-out has resulted in fewer fees falling due for payment in 2015. Currently, JobPath services are being provided to jobseekers from 32 departmental locations across the country, and some 5,000 jobseekers have been referred to JobPath so far, a significant number given that it meant setting up office points at 32 locations. We expect that will continue in 2016 and will be completed then. Obviously, the actual cost of JobPath will be determined by the number of jobseekers who are referred and the number who gain sustained employment. The contingency provision in the Department's accounts was more than €5 million. So far we have not needed any of it, and it does not appear as though we will, although these may be famous last words.