Derek Nolan (Galway West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

411. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the rationale behind JobPath; the results it has delivered to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22661/14]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

JobPath is a new programme of employment activation aimed specifically at the long-term unemployed and those most distant from the labour market with the primary objective of assisting such persons to gain sustainable employment. The allocation of additional resources to the activation of long term unemployed people was the focus of an updated “Pathways to Work” policy statement published in July 2013 (PTW 2013). Having examined various resourcing and contracting options, and taking note of recommendations by the OECD among others, it was decided to procure additional capacity from providers with expertise and experience in the provision of employment supports or related services. This additional capacity will augment the Department’s own activation capacity as well as that already contracted through Local Employment Services (LES) providers. It is not intended that it will substitute for or replace any of the services currently offered by the Department. The Department is currently in the process of evaluating tenders for the provision of the service.