Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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784. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if he is satisfied with the Intreo website (details supplied); the purpose of the website; when it will be fully operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25912/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Jobsireland.ie is a free online jobs site that enables employers to post job opportunities and jobseekers to search and apply for these opportunities online. At almost 20 years old, the original site was showing its age. For example, although it enabled jobseekers to search for job opportunities based on job type and location, it wasn’t possible for employers to search for suitable jobseekers on the site – they had to rely on candidates finding and applying for a job from among the many thousands hosted on the system.

Accordingly, the Department issued a tender last year for the development and implementation of a new service that would enable both employers and jobseekers to search for each other using competencies and skillsets as well as the traditional job-type classifications. As part of the new service, candidate profiles will be automatically matched to job specifications posted by employers with both candidate and the employer notified via e-mail and/or SMS when a suitable match is found. Candidates can use the site to apply for the jobs advertised. The system will also integrate with the Department of Social Protection’s Intreo service and will include other new features such as allowing jobseekers to post CVs and video profiles if they wish.

Following the procurement process, a young Irish technology company is now building and delivering the new service. The service is being implemented on phased basis which means, unfortunately, that there is some service disruption while work is ongoing. There have also been some teething problems with the first phase implementation which have largely been resolved. Over 5,000 job vacancies are currently being advertised on the site. The Department continues to work with the supplier to improve and add new functionality over the coming weeks.

Employers or any person experiencing difficulties with the website can contact the Department’s National Contact Centre on 1890 800 024 for assistance. Additional resources have been assigned to expedite queries.