Written answers

Tuesday, 13 February 2018

Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

JobPath Programme

Photo of Pat GallagherPat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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635. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason persons on JobPath cannot transfer to either community employment schemes or rural social schemes in rural areas, even in cases in which there is a clear willingness to work on such schemes on the part of the JobPath participants (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6969/18]

Photo of Regina DohertyRegina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The aim of the JobPath service is to assist participants in finding sustainable full-time paid employment. Community Employment (CE) schemes, provides part-time employment and training opportunities in local communities for people in receipt of a Social Welfare payment, including long-term unemployment payments as a stepping stone back to employment. It is important to note that Community Employment, does not, nor is it intended to, provide full-time sustainable employment.

Jobseekers can only participate with one activation scheme or service at a time; this is to allow the scheme and service providers time to work with the participants and also to ensure that the best use is made of the available places.

In relation to the Rural Social Scheme (RSS), it provides opportunities for low income farmers and fishermen who are currently in receipt of specified social welfare payments and actively engaged with the farming or fishing industry to work to provide certain services of benefit to rural communities.

The current selection process for the JobPath service excludes those jobseekers categorised as self-employed including those actively farming or fishing, with the result that most jobseekers eligible for RSS are not referred to the JobPath service. However in a small number of cases where self-employment had not been identified jobseekers were referred. If self-employment is subsequently verified by the Department, it is then open to the person to opt to leave the JobPath service.

Customers on the Jobpath service receive intensive individual support and assistance to help them to overcome barriers to employment. A Jobseeker who is currently engaged with the JobPath service is eligible to apply for a placement with RSS once the relevant qualifying conditions are satisfied and a suitable opportunity is available to the client.

At the end of the 52 weeks with the JobPath service, if a client has not been successful in finding suitable employment, they will have the facility available to them, subject to assessment and suitability, to apply for and access Community Employment and other activations supports provided by my Department.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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