Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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1822. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will amend the current Jobpath scheme to enable those that may be on Jobpath to consider a back to education course or community employment scheme if a suitable opportunity arose. [37500/17]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Jobseekers, while engaged with the JobPath service, can apply for Back to Education Allowance. While the field of study should relate to the employment preferences agreed by the customer with their JobPath personal advisor, the decision on any application is made by an official in my Department.

Jobseekers who are already participating with the JobPath service will not be referred to Community Employment Schemes (CE) as they can only participate with one activation scheme or service at a time. This allows the scheme and 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 and also to ensure that the best use is made of the available places on all activation supports.

However, customers who on the date of their referral to JobPath have a written offer with a start date within four weeks for CE will be facilitated to take up the placement. Additionally, in a small number of exceptional cases, which are assessed on a case by case basis, my Department may facilitate a customer to move from one activation support to another.

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 to build on the skills gained with the JobPath service.

My Department keeps all aspects of its activation programmes including JobPath under review to ensure the best outcomes for participants.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.