Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I take on board the points the Deputy raised. To be clear, local employment services are something we very much need. The service has been provided through a number of different providers over the years. As stated by the Deputy, some of them have been operational for as long as 22 years. We have legal advice that we must put these services out to tender. I have put four areas out to tender in respect of which there are no employment services. I am awaiting the results of that process. We will take on board the learnings from that process for the particular areas we have put out for tender. We have been working closely with the different providers in terms of consultation with officials from my Department. They are meeting with SIPTU next week and they will also meet the local employment services. The services are not being privatised. I do not want anybody to think that.

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