Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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23. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason the Action Plan for Jobs is being cut each year and high skilled workers are not being followed up having completed various State funded courses, and recruitment for public sector jobs are not targeting those who are on the live register as the information is readily available for the Government on their skills and training experiences; the reason recruitment agencies (details supplied) are being used when there are many on the live register who are well qualified; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49466/14]

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The Action Plan for Jobs has been updated and revised each year since its inception in 2012. It has not been cut, and the 2015 iteration of the plan is expected to be finalised shortly.

Within the Intreo activation process managed by the Department of Social protection, a Personal Progression Plan is developed with each Jobseeker. Participation in a training, education, or development programme may form part of this development plan. At any time in the activation process, including on exiting a programme, a Jobseeker may seek a meeting with his/her Case Officer/Mediator to discuss potential next steps in their journey back to employment.

As part of a structured engagement with the enterprise sector to maximise recruitment from the Live Register, the Department undertook a series of activities and events in 2014 to deliver on the measures under Pathways to Work. The national employer relations team and divisional employer liaison teams work closely with employers and industry bodies on an ongoing basis to support engagement with job seekers and the Department’s employer services. In addition the www.jobsIreland.ie website is being redeveloped/ upgraded to better respond to employer and client needs via a new job matching system on a successor site which should be in place by late 2015.

As an example of this kind of engagement, officials from my Department met with Irish Water and the main contractors selected for the Water Metering Installation in 2013/2014 and provided information on the services and supports available for employers through the Intreo service.

In addition Irish Water has advertised over 320 positions for roles in Irish Water through the Department’s Jobs Ireland service – www.jobsireland.ie. This includes 11 vacancies which are currently available. The Department assisted the contractors in meeting their obligations under the social clause in their contracts.

Finally, the public service provides significant entry-level employment opportunities to those on the Live Register. The current legislative and regulatory framework for most public service recruitment is underpinned by the principle of merit-based recruitment which precludes discrimination against applicants from the Live Register. The recently-announced end to the public service recruitment moratorium from 1st January may provide an opportunity to consider how best the public sector in its recruitment activities can support Government policy around activation.