Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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250. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of young unemployed persons who participated in fixed-term contracts through PeoplePoint; the number who were successful in obtaining permanent positions thereafter or who have been placed on a panel; the number of unsuccessful participants; the extent to which their future employment prospects can be enhanced as a result of their participation in the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5765/15]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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PeoplePoint is the HR and Pensions Administration Shared Service for the Civil Service.  It was established in March 2013 and currently provides services to employees across 21 Civil Service organisations.  Once all transitions are complete, PeoplePoint will provide services across 38 organisations.

Wherever possible, staff already employed on a permanent basis across the Civil and Public Service were transferred into posts in PeoplePoint.  Since 2012, 172 fixed-term contracts were issued to Temporary Clerical Officers to work in PeoplePoint. This was necessary to ensure that rapidly emerging business needs were met.

Last year, as there was a wider need for Clerical Officers right across the Civil Service, the Public Appointments Service (PAS) conducted an open recruitment competition to establish a panel of candidates for permanent Clerical Officer posts.  Anyone, including staff assigned to PeoplePoint, was entitled to apply for Clerical Officer posts. This process was fully transparent. 18 Temporary Clerical Officers working in PeoplePoint were successful in this competition and have been appointed on the usual probationary basis.  Only one candidate working in PeoplePoint declined the offer of a permanent post.

PeoplePoint is currently in the process of transitioning this temporary structure to a permanent Clerical Officer structure.  This process will take six months in order to ensure business continuity and to assist with the integration of new clerical staff.  Consequently some longer serving Temporary Clerical Officers will remain in their positions until 28 August 2015.  For those staff on fixed-term contracts who are leaving, structured support is being offered to assist them with future employment, including guidance on CV and interview preparation.  The skills and experience gained while working in PeoplePoint can be added to their curriculum vitaes.

Some staff who are leaving have already been offered other roles.