Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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116. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the geographical regions that are identified to implement the JobPath pilot schemes and the number of and percentage of long-term unemployed in each region to be facilitated by the scheme; if she will utilise the Leader group and the community and volunteers sector due to their experience and proven success to processing these pilot schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41705/14]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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JobPath is the Government’s new labour market activation service 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 sustained employment.

JobPath will augment and complement both the Department’s own employment services as well as the services contracted under existing arrangements with private registered companies that provide the Local Employment Service (LES) and Job Clubs.

Following the completion of a public procurement process, conducted in accordance with EU and national procurement rules, two preferred tenderers have been selected. The two preferred tenderers are Turas Nua Ltd. and Seetec Business Technology Centre Ltd.

Turas Nua is a new business and is a joint venture between FRS Recruitment (a co-operative recruitment company based in Roscrea) and Working Links (a UK-based well-established provider of employment services to long-term unemployed people).

Turas Nua Limited will operate in counties Carlow, Clare, Cork, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Limerick, Offaly (part), Tipperary, Waterford, Wexford and Wicklow. There are currently some 80,000 long-term unemployed in these counties.

Seetec is a private company delivering a wide range of employability and skills programmes across both urban and rural areas of England. Seetec will operate in counties Cavan, Donegal, Dublin, Galway, Leitrim, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly (part), Roscommon, Sligo and Westmeath. There are currently some 100,000 long-term unemployed in these counties.

It is intended to refer all current long-term unemployed to JobPath as well as those who become long-term unemployed.

While it is a matter for the preferred tenderers to engage with local companies, both companies have indicated their intention to work with a range of local subcontractors, including local training companies as well as providers of employment services and specialist support services.

Between them the preferred tenderers and their sub-contractors will provide some 1,000 staff, in approximately 100 outlets across the country, to assist the long-term unemployed to obtain employment and to overcome barriers to employment.

Subject to successful finalisation of contracts, it is anticipated that JobPath will commence in mid-2015.