Written answers

Tuesday, 7 November 2017

Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Employment Support Services

Photo of Catherine ConnollyCatherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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1264. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the analysis that has been carried out in regard to the impact a company (details supplied) and Turas Nua has had on community employment schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46869/17]

Photo of Regina DohertyRegina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Turas Nua is one of the contractors delivering the Jobpath service on behalf of my department. 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. These are two different activation supports with different natures and delivery models. It is not the case that either activation support would have an impact on the other.

Moreover, Jobseekers who are already participating with the JobPath service will not be referred to CE Schemes as they can only participate with one activation scheme or service at a time. Similarly while someone is on a CE scheme, they are not selected for Jobpath. This allows the scheme or 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 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 a DEASP case officer. They may then apply for other activation supports such as CE, thus ensuring ongoing availability to CE schemes.

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