Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will start by wishing the Minister every success. Ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil leis an Uasal Doherty as an sárobair a rinne sí. I also want to acknowledge the hardworking staff in the Department who have managed to process thousands of applications in a short period. Their work needs to be acknowledged here as well.

I recently raised the issue of carers who have sought access to the PUP. I am glad to say that a family carer who works fewer than 18.5 hours per week but who loses her job is now entitled to receive the Covid-19 payment and keep the carer's allowance.

I want to raise the issue of employment activation measures. I raised it on several occasions in the lifetime of the previous Dáil. As we know, there has been serious disagreement in the House between the Government and Opposition about the effectiveness and value for money of the existing JobPath programmes and especially the role played by Turas Nua and Seetec. We know from the latest data that 226,851 people have been referred to the JobPath service but that only 14,617 held down jobs for over a year. The latest figures show that in the four years the scheme has been operational, the Government has spent over €182 million on it. The two private companies, Turas Nua and Seetec, have received €75.7 million and €73.3 million, respectively. I recently tabled a parliamentary question on the matter. The reply indicated that the Department is currently reviewing all contracted public employment services. This review is being undertaken with the aim of designing and introducing a comprehensive model that is fit for purpose for the Irish labour market from 2021 onwards. Are we to take it that referrals to Turas Nua will continue for the rest of this year? It is my sincere hope that a different and more client-friendly approach is rolled out in future. The number and character of the complaints around the nature of the service provided by Turas Nua are too consistent in the sense that those who have been made to attend regularly feel belittled or patronised by the service. I have received a large volume of complaints at my offices in the recent past on this issue.

Another issue arises with community employment, CE, schemes. I want to ask about the report on the future of CE schemes. It is my understanding that the report has been published. When will it be made available? Recently, I met a group of CE scheme supervisors. That question was asked. In addition, I am keen to ask about the pension scheme for CE supervisors as per the Labour Court ruling. I imagine the Minister has heard this over and over but I will reiterate it because it is of serious concern to the supervisors and I am keen for some clarity on the matter as well.

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