Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Intreo is the new employment activation and supports service model that the Government promised to deliver in the programme for Government and under the Pathways to Work initiative. It integrates the employment services and community programmes formerly provided by FÁS, the community welfare services formerly provided by the HSE and the income support services provided by the Department. The Department recognises the advantage of contracting with external service providers. This provides access to additional expertise and knowledge and complements the Department's own services by bringing in extra resources to meet increasing demands.

As part of the Department's employment service provision, it contracts with external providers for the delivery of the local employment service, LES, and job clubs' employment services, including career planning and job search assistance, to clients who are activated through these services. The Department funds this service provision to the tune of some €25 million per annum. The Department also has contracts, worth approximately €18 million, for the delivery of income support and related services across a network of more than 60 branch offices that complements the Department's office network.

In addition, the Department engaged the Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion to provide expert advice and assistance with the design and delivery of a commercial model for the contracted provision of employment services. A report was recently provided to the Department and is being evaluated. Any decision regarding the question of engaging commercial private contractors to deliver employment services will be a matter for the Government and any subsequent process of engagement with private providers will be undertaken in accordance with normal public procurement procedures.

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