Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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243. To ask the Minister for Social Protection her plans to roll-out the Pathways to Work programme to include all jobseekers and lone parents who are transitioning on to the jobseeker;s allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29047/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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In keeping with Pathways to Work objectives, activation and case management services are delivered through Intreo centres and through the network of Departmental offices which are currently transitioning to a full Intreo service. In addition, the Local Employment Service, which the Department contracts annually, supplements its own employment service provision and provides vocational guidance, employment supports and mediation to jobseekers and other customers. All new jobseekers are activated within a short period of becoming unemployed. Engagement with long-term unemployed clients is also in place.

The Jobseeker’s Transition (JST) payment was introduced in July 2013 to assist lone parents back to work and towards financial independence. Since its introduction two years ago, customers who move into this category are activated and referred to Case Officers for engagement. The objective of this engagement is to facilitate and support exploration by the customer of options open to him/her and to agree a Personal Progression Plan (PPP) outlining appropriate steps to be taken to achieve the preferred option. Options include part-time education or training to become job ready or additional hours of employment