Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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169. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if he will permit the early termination of a contract with Turas Nua by a person (details supplied) who has secured an internship in a company that will further their employment prospects. [23521/17]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The aim of the JobPath service, which is provided for long term unemployed jobseekers only, is to assist them in finding sustainable full-time paid employment by providing intensive individual support and assistance. All decisions regarding the participation by jobseekers on work experience programmes such as the First Steps internship programme are taken by my Department.

I am advised by my officials that the customer concerned has been asked to provide details of the internship to the Department’s local office for a decision and if she is eligible for the First Steps programme, her engagement with the JobPath service will be suspended to allow her to take up the opportunity. If she remains on the live register at the end of the internship, the JobPath company will resume providing support to help her find a full-time sustainable post.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.