Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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215. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the case of a person (details supplied) will be examined who has been placed on two different back to work schemes but has been told they can only accept certain offers and have reluctantly had to turn down a number of suitable offers; if their social welfare payments can be affected if they refuse to accept a place on a scheme they do not wish to participate in; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42050/17]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The customer was referred to the Job Club service on 12^thJune 2017 and attended in September 2017. The customer was also referred to the JobPath service on 17^thJune 2017, and agreed a personal progression plan with the JobPath provider on 6^thJuly 2017. Having been referred to JobPath which provides an intensive 12 month programme of support for the Long Term Unemployed the customer’s attendance at the JobClub was not required nor was it mandatory in this customer’s circumstance. The circumstances of a cross over in referrals are being examined by my department and I shall revert to the Deputy when inquiries have been completed.

Participation on JobPath is mandatory for all jobseekers selected by my department. The Social Welfare (Consolidated) Act 2005, as amended, specifies that participation in activation meetings is mandatory for those in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance. A failure to engage with JobPath can result in the application of sanctions, but all decisions regarding a person’s welfare entitlements while on JobPath are taken only by department Officials and not by the JobPath companies. The process for sanctioning clients who do not engage with the JobPath activation process is exactly the same as the process for clients who fail to engage with my department’s own activation service.

Should a sanction be applied and the customer considers it has been applied unfairly or in error it is open to the customer to request a review with her local Intreo office or she can make an appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office either by e-mailing or by writing to The Chief Appeals Officer, Social Welfare Appeals Office, D'Olier House, D'Olier Street, Dublin 2​, D02 XY31.

I understand that the JobPath provider is currently investigating a complaint made by the customer in question regarding the service provided. It is a contractual requirement that the JobPath service provider in the first instance must investigate any issues that may arise in respect of the service they provide.

If having exhausted the provider’s complaints process, the customer remains dissatisfied they may request my department to carry out a review. This request must be in writing and clearly state the reasons why the customer is dissatisfied.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.