James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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267. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the delay in a person (details supplied) moving from JobPath to a Tús placement; if he will expedite the transfer onto the Tús scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25339/17]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The aim of the JobPath service, which is provided for jobseekers only, is to assist them in finding sustainable full time paid employment. Each person referred to the JobPath service is allocated a personal advisor who provides intensive individual support and assistance. When a jobseeker with JobPath finds employment, they will be supported by the JobPath Company for at least the first 13 weeks and up to a year until they are settled in the job.

This is in contrast to the TÚS and Community Employment (CE) schemes that provide part-time employment and training opportunities in local communities as a stepping stone back to employment for people on a range of Social Welfare payments including those on long term unemployment payments. I should emphasise that TÚS and CE do not, nor are they intended to, provide full-time sustainable employment.

Jobseekers can only participate with one activation scheme or service at a time; this is to allow the scheme and service providers time to work with the participants to achieve the best outcome for the person. It also ensures that all places available on activation supports are managed efficiently. However, people who on the date of their referral to JobPath have a written offer with a start date within four weeks for CE or TÚS will be facilitated to take up their placement and that is a matter for the officials in my Department, the JobPath companies have no role.

The person concerned has been engaged with the JobPath service since March 2017 and has agreed a Personal Progression Plan with their personal advisor, which includes a schedule of activities, actions and job-focused targets.

The referral period for the JobPath service is typically for a year. At the end of the 52 weeks, if the customer has not been successful in finding suitable employment they may, subject to an assessment by an Intreo case officer, may apply for other activation supports such as CE or TÚS.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.