Written answers

Tuesday, 24 May 2016

Department of Social Protection

JobPath Implementation

Photo of John BradyJohn Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

340. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if he is aware that the contract to outsource jobseeker's to private JobPath contractors is causing problems for local employment services and to many jobseekers. [11828/16]

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The State’s employment activation service is delivered directly by the Department’s Intreo service and under contract arrangements by the JobPath service, the Local Employment Service (LES) and Job Clubs.

JobPath is a new approach to employment activation that supports people who are long-term unemployed and those most at risk of becoming long-term unemployed to secure and sustain paid employment. The JobPath service is delivered by 2 companies - Turas Nua Limited and Seetec Limited. The companies deliver services directly and also engage with a range of local subcontractors, including training and employment service providers. JobPath is an addition to, not a substitute for, the services already provided by the Department. JobPath is thereby increasing the Department’s overall capacity to engage with, support and assist jobseekers to enter/re-enter and sustain employment.

In 2016 the Department agreed contracts with the LES to provide a more intensive level of engagement with jobseekers. In order to assist the LES to undertake a more intensive level of engagement the number of jobseeker referrals was correspondingly reduced. This would not have been possible without the benefit of JobPath. JobPath is thus assisting the LES to deliver a better service for jobseekers and also assisting jobseekers directly via its own range of services and supports.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.