Written answers

Tuesday, 4 November 2014

Department of Social Protection

JobPath Initiative

Photo of Paul MurphyPaul Murphy (Dublin South West, Socialist Party)
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126. To ask the Minister for Social Protection her views on the awarding of JobPath contracts to private firms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41683/14]

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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JobPath is a new programme of employment activation aimed specifically at the long-term unemployed (over 12 months) and those most distant from the labour market. Jobseekers will be referred to the programme for a 52 week period and will retain their existing social welfare payment while on the programme. Subject to successful finalisation of contracts, it is anticipated that JobPath will commence in mid-2015.The Pathways to Work initiative launched in 2012 signalled the potential of contracting with private third party providers to complement the existing capacity of the Department of Social Protection and the Local Employment Services to deliver employment services. The Department of Social Protection does not have sufficient capacity to meaningfully engage with all those who are unemployed – in particular the long-term unemployed (who need more intensive levels of engagement).

Given the scale and, hopefully, temporary nature of the resourcing requirement, (to deal with a peak in long-term unemployment), given that contracted service provision is common practice in most other EU/OECD countries and given the constraints on exchequer finances it was concluded that a contracted, payment by results model, is the most appropriate solution at this point in time.

JobPath will not replace any existing service provision, either that provided directly by staff within the Department or that provided under existing contract arrangements. In addition JobPath does not involve the outsourcing of any existing activities undertaken by staff of the Department.

Following the completion of a public procurement process, conducted in accordance with EU and national procurement rules, two preferred tenderers were 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 the southern half of the country including towns and cities such as Cork, Limerick, and Waterford.

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 the northern half of the country including towns and cities such as Dublin, Galway, Sligo and Dundalk.

Turas Nua and Seetec will work with a range of local subcontractors, including local training companies, providers of employment services and providers of specialist supports, in the delivery of JobPath.

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 in obtaining employment and in overcoming barriers to employment.

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