Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1801. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if release from the Jobpath programme can be reconsidered in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37368/17]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The aim of the JobPath service is to assist participants in finding sustainable full-time paid employment by providing intensive individual support and assistance. The Rural Social Scheme (RSS) provides income support for underemployed farmers who are in receipt of specific social welfare supports. Participants are engaged for 19½ hours per week to provide certain services of benefit to rural communities. When selected for the JobPath activation service in January this year, the person in question was not actively farming and was in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance. It is a condition of the receipt of this payment that a recipient must be capable of, available for and actively seeking full time employment. The Department select jobseekers on a random basis for referral to the JobPath service.

The person concerned has not to date submitted an application form for the RSS or have an offer of a place on the scheme. It should be noted that participation on the Rural Social Scheme (RSS) is intended to be temporary and is subject to review through an annual application for a continued place on the scheme. His time with the JobPath service commenced in January 2017 and he is therefore required to remain with the JobPath service for the full 52 week duration.

At the end of his participation with the JobPath service if he has not been successful in finding sustainable full time employment, he will be referred back to his local DSP office for an assessment by the Intreo Case Officer, who will support him to apply for other activation employment programmes such as Community Employment, Tús and RSS if appropriate.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.