Written answers

Tuesday, 27 June 2017

Department of Social Protection

JobPath Implementation

Photo of Bobby AylwardBobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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568. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will reconsider legislation governing JobPath and community employment schemes to allow participants to transfer from a JobPath placement to a community employment scheme placement in order to address the shortage of candidates available to the latter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29769/17]

Photo of Denise MitchellDenise Mitchell (Dublin Bay North, Sinn Fein)
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575. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if a mechanism can be introduced which would allow a person on a JobPath programme to transfer onto a community employment scheme if they are of the view it is more suitable; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30028/17]

Photo of Regina DohertyRegina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 568 and 575 together.

The aim of the JobPath service, which is provided for jobseekers only, is to assist them in finding sustainable full time paid employment. Community Employment schemes provide part-time work experience 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

JobPath is an up to 52 week programme which allows the service providers’ sufficient time to work with the participants in order to develop their skills and competencies to pursue suitable job opportunities which may result in sustainable employment. In order to ensure that the best use is made of the available places on JobPath, Jobseekers who are already participating with the JobPath service will not be referred to Community Employment Schemes as they can only participate with one activation scheme or service at a time.

However, customers 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 the placement.

Those jobseekers that have completed their 52 week engagement with JobPath without finding suitable and sustainable employment are being referred back to their Intreo centres for an assessment by one of my Department’s case officers. They may then apply for other activation supports such as CE, thus ensuring ongoing availability to all schemes.

Recently the Government approved the implementation of a number of changes to the terms and conditions of participation on CE. The main purpose of these changes is to broaden the availability of CE to a greater number of people on the live register and to standardise other conditions around the length of time a person can participate on the programme.

If there is a CE scheme experiencing particular difficulties in recruitment, they should contact their local DSP office so that the matter can be reviewed.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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