Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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120. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if persons on the JobPath scheme are prohibited from working part-time up to three days a week and claiming jobseeker's allowance for the other days; and, if so, the reason for this. [40092/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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JobPath is a new approach to employment activation that will support people who are long-term unemployed and those most distant from the labour market to secure and sustain full-time paid employment. Participants on JobPath retain their social welfare entitlements. JobPath has no impact on the eligibility criteria for jobseeker’s allowance. If a client is in part-time or casual work (up to and including 3 days per week), the client may still be paid jobseeker's allowance for the other days of unemployment during that week. However, the client must be available for full-time employment. The client must also satisfy the other criteria to qualify for a jobseeker’s allowance payment, namely –

1. be capable of work.

2. be available for and genuinely seeking work.

3. satisfy the means test.

4. meet the habitual residence condition.

Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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121. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if persons on the JobPath scheme are permitted to take up employment on community employment schemes; and if not, the reason why. [40093/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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JobPath is a new approach to employment activation that will support people who are long-term unemployed and those most at risk of becoming long-term unemployed to secure and sustain paid employment.

JobPath is one of the range of activation supports, including schemes such as CE and Tús, catering for long-term unemployed jobseekers. In general, and JobPath is not an exception, it is not possible for clients to participate in two separate schemes at the same time. In addition, given the need to manage the allocation of places effectively, the Department does not facilitate or encourage jobseekers to leave one scheme early in order to take up a place on another scheme. This approach is particularly relevant in the case of JobPath whereby providers are paid on the basis of outcomes; it is important that the service providers have the opportunity and the time to achieve the outcome – which is to help the jobseeker secure and sustain full-time employment.

Participants on JobPath will receive intensive individual support to help them address barriers to employment and to assist them in finding jobs. Each person is assigned to a personal advisor who will assess a person’s skills, experience, challenges and work goals. A personal progression plan will be drawn up that will include a schedule of activities, actions and job focused targets. Participants are also provided with a range of training and development supports including online modules, career advice, CV preparation and interview skills. They may also be referred for further education and training opportunities. They will spend a year on JobPath and if they are placed into a job they will continue to receive support for at least three months and up to twelve months while in employment.

It should be noted however that jobseekers can in fact be referred to relevant, employment focused, further education and training opportunities provided by ETBs and others while on JobPath. In such cases the engagement period with JobPath will be adjusted.

Finally, participation in other schemes and programmes remains an option that will be assessed by case officers once the client’s participation on JobPath is completed.