Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Will the Minister outline clearly the engagement between departmental officials and JobPath providers? I appreciate that it is consistent. Have there been discussions about extending referrals to JobPath? I would appreciate an answer in that regard.

I raise this matter because I met representatives of the Irish Local Development Network recently, which has clearly demonstrated its capacity to take 150,000 client referrals through job clubs and local employment services. I really want to us to take a not-for-profit and community-based approach to job activation schemes. The real plus I see with the local employment service in particular but also with job clubs is that it is not just about getting a person into any job. It is about well-being and there are extra supports for people, especially as we come out of this Covid-19 emergency. We really need to protect these community-based and not-for-profit services. Will the Minister look at those? Has there been engagement between her officials and JobPath providers on extending referrals?

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