Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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103. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she considered the local development companies who have a track record of delivery and an established network in every community as a lead partner in the roll out of the JobPath iniviative; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53485/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Department currently has 43 contracts with Local Development Companies (LDCs) for the provision of employment services. These contracts cover the delivery of both the Local Employment Service (LES) and Job Clubs.

JobPath is the title of the Government’s proposed new programme of labour market activation aimed specifically at the long-term unemployed and those most at risk of becoming long-term unemployed. JobPath will be delivered by third party providers of employment services under contract to the Department.

It is the Department’s intention to issue a contract notice for the procurement of JobPath services shortly and Local Development Companies are free to participate in the procurement process.