Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

518. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons currently participating in the JobPath scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13477/17]

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

There are currently just under 70,000 jobseekers availing of the JobPath service.

As the Deputy will be aware, 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.

The JobPath service is designed to augment and complement the Department’s existing employment service capacity. The additional capacity provided through the JobPath service has allowed the department to provide the type and intensity of services required by Jobseekers, particularly those most distant from the labour market.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

519. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of complaints made against the two companies charged with operating the JobPath scheme; the nature of such complaints; the steps taken by his Department to address issues raised by participants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13478/17]

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

The overall reaction to JobPath has been very positive. To date 82,798 Jobseekers have been referred to the service, with 215 complaints received in total – one quarter of one per cent.

163 complaints have been responded to and are now closed. 52 are in progress.

The total number of complaints for Seetec is 81. The nature of these complaints is as follows: Customer Service 43; Clients reluctant to engage 27; Data Protection 4; Employer Recruitment Process 3; Travel Expenses 1; Transport Issues 1; Equal Status Act 1; and Irish Language 1.

The total number of complaints for Turas Nua is 134. The nature of these complaints is as follows: Customer Service 108; Policy 15; Legislation 5; Office Layout 4; and Data Protection 2.

Each JobPath provider has a Complaints Procedure which is advertised in every location. In the event the customer has exhausted that process but they remain dissatisfied with the response to their complaint, they may then request my department to carry out a review. Following the review and my department’s response, should the customer still remain dissatisfied, they can refer the matter to the Office of the Ombudsman.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.