Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Anti-Austerity Alliance)
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548. To ask the Minister for Social Protection his views on whether it is within the remit of Seetec's services to his Department to seek information on a jobseeker's family house mortgage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41220/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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JobPath is an employment activation service that supports people who are long-term unemployed and those most at risk of becoming long-term unemployed to secure and sustain paid employment. Participants on JobPath receive intensive individual support from their personal adviser to help them tackle barriers to employment and to assist them in finding full-time sustainable jobs.

One element of the individual support provided to jobseekers is an assessment of their financial situation and the financial benefit to the person of full-time employment. This assessment is also beneficial to the jobseeker in determining the level of income which is required to maintain their household.

The provision of any financial details by a jobseeker to the JobPath provider is not compulsory and if the person would prefer not to discuss their finances with their personal adviser but do require some advice or assistance, they may be referred by the JobPath provider to the Citizen’s Information Service.

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Anti-Austerity Alliance)
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549. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the measures in place to ensure jobseekers who are parents of young children and who are asked to attend appointments with Seetec are reimbursed for child-minding costs relevant to said appointments. [41221/16]

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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569. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if he has considered the added cost of childcare and travel for those participating on jobpath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41586/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 549 and 569 together.

JobPath is an approach to the provision of employment services to jobseekers that are long-term unemployed. While engaging with the JobPath service participants are provided with a range of supports based on an assessment of individual needs which may include reasonable costs for travel and childcare. The JobPath providers will also schedule appointments to take account of travel and childcare arrangements if requested.

Both JobPath providers, Seetec and Turas Nua provide an immediate reimbursement for travel expenses upon production of a ticket/evidence of travel. This includes bus routes and mileage costs for the cheapest and most direct travel method available.

The JobPath providers may also provide funding on a case by case basis to jobseekers who incur out of pocket childcare costs when pursuing employment opportunities, including attending JobPath appointments

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.