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

I thank the Deputy for raising this. My Department currently provides employment services for people with disabilities through 23 EmployAbility-contracted service providers across the State. My officials have commenced a procurement process to update current EmployAbility services to comply with legal advice from the Attorney General and Chief State Solicitor’s office and to meet the Department’s objective of shifting emphasis from financial monitoring of service providers to focusing on service quality for clients.

It is not the intention of this procurement to significantly change the services currently provided to clients. The proposed new EmployAbility contract model aims to enhance the autonomy of the service providers, giving them more control over financial and staffing decisions to enable them to provide a high quality employment service for people with disabilities.

Stakeholder engagement is a key aspect of this procurement and my officials have met with each EmployAbility service provider individually in recent months to discuss the planned procurement process. This engagement will continue until the publication of the request for tender planned for later this year.

I have arranged to meet with the chairs of all the EmployAbility companies so that I can hear their views directly on the forthcoming process. I look forward to a positive engagement with them later this week.

In addition, my Department is examining what practical assistance can be provided to ensure a level playing field, removing any obstacles for existing service providers to the submission of a competitive tender. It is in everyone’s interests that my Department continues to provide a quality employment service for people with disabilities and my officials will continue to work with all stakeholders on the best way to achieve this while ensuring contracts are legally compliant. I trust this provides clarity regarding my Department's current proposals in this regard.

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