Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy McAuliffe for raising this and assure him that the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, is happy to engage with him to reassure him. I am interested in this area myself from chairing the committee and working in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment on the matter of job creation previously and now again. That is about creating good quality jobs and making sure that everybody has the opportunity to avail of those jobs. There are also other reasons why I am interested in this matter. Being based in the Department of Social Protection, I am familiar with the two local services that the Deputy mentioned and I have engaged with them over the years. I am confident that the Department and Minister understand the importance of engagement and progression. If we are to provide a successful employment service to anybody, whether recently unemployed or long-term unemployed, there has to be engagement which is about a person's personal progression and a specific plan to bring them on that journey. Sometimes they need additional services or time. We are determined to give people the best opportunity.

That is what these contracts will reflect.

I thank the Deputy for his contribution. I would like to reiterate some key points. The recent tender published is the outcome of a lengthy process of engagement and consultation with all employment services. The tender will allow the Department to contract out employment services on a legally sound basis and in line with national and EU procurement rules. It will also increase our capacity to provide a top-class service as soon as people need it because we recognise the pressure that might come on the system in the time ahead.

No existing local employment services will be impacted by this current tender phase, as I am sure the Deputy is aware. There will be time to review that process as we make changes for the second round later in the year. This process – both phases of procurement – is essentially focused on expanding employment services, primarily for the long-term unemployed. The Department is seeking to procure high-quality employment services focused on supporting those individuals, jobseekers and other cohorts, who are furthest from the labour market.

This will be a tailored intensive employment service designed to address the needs of the people who are supported by the service and bids will be evaluated on the basis of their quality and demonstration of how they meet their clients’ specific needs.

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