Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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523. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the refusal of a turas nua extension in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19298/17]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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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. The JobPath service complements the service provided by my Department’s own staff in Intreo Centres and by the Local Employment Service providers.

This customer was referred to the JobPath Service in February 2016 where he agreed a personal progression plan with his Personal Advisor that included a schedule of activities, actions and job-focused targets taking into account his employment preferences. JobPath engagement lasts for a total of 52 weeks, if a customer has been unable to find fulltime employment in that period, as was the case with this customer, then they are referred back to their local Intreo office for further activation assistance as appropriate. A detailed Exit Report detailing this customer’s progressions throughout the year was provided by Turas Nua to his local Intreo Office and a Case Officer from my Department will continue to work with this customer and provide support and assistance based on this report and any other needs the customers may require.

Clients are randomly selected for participation on JobPath and the currently policy precludes the selection of anyone who has already completed JobPath within the previous six months. This gives customers the opportunity to explore my Department’s other activation options in conjunction with their Case Officers.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.