John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

-----made to the Ombudsman regarding Turas Nua and Seetec. That motion referred to investing and upscaling the successful schemes such as the local employment services and the community employment schemes. We know that referrals to community employment schemes and the local employment service have plummeted. Thousands fewer have been referred to the local employment service. As we speak, there is 1,971 vacancies within community employment schemes the length and breadth of the State. That is not by accident but by design. There is genuine concern regarding the local employment service.

The Indecon report was published a few weeks ago. There is a strong view it is paving the way for the privatisation of some of the successful schemes such as the local employment service in terms of public procurement. Will the Minister invest in the local employment service, as there is genuine concern regarding her intentions? There is a view that the ground is being prepared for the privatisation of that sector going out to public procurement and that the payment by results model will be rolled out. Will the Minister outline what her plans are for the local employment service, the community employments schemes and the other the successful ones?

The Minister cannot ignore the expressed will of the Dáil. We have spoken here. JobPath needs to go and she needs to ensure that it does go.

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