Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

83. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if his attention has been drawn to the use of psychometric tests by operators of JobPath; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that the administration of such tests using psychometric questionnaires contravenes international ethical guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17844/17]

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

Participants on JobPath receive intensive individual support to help them address barriers to employment and to find jobs. Each person is assigned a personal advisor who assesses their skills, experience, challenges and work goals and agrees a personal progression plan that includes a schedule of activities, actions and job focused targets. I can confirm that the two companies contracted to provide the JobPath service on behalf of my Department do not use psychometric testing in performing these assessments.

However, one of the resources available to jobseekers who are engaging with the JobPath service are some simple psychometric tools that can guide a client on how to exploit their abilities and transferable skills. These tools are voluntary and are ideal for clients who want a career change or who are unclear on the employment path they may wish to take.