Michael Harty (Clare, Independent)
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1415. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her views on whether feedback to implementing bodies on the experience and effectiveness of JobPath is largely negative; her further views on whether the Tús community work placement scheme is more effective and represents better value for money; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15235/18]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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My Department provides a range of activation supports and programmes, including JobPath, catering for long-term unemployed jobseekers and those most distant from the labour market. These supports include the JobPath service and programmes such as Community Employment (CE) and Tús.

The feedback on the JobPath service has been quite positive; the Department recently published the results of the 2017 Customer Satisfaction Survey. While the results of the 2016 survey revealed high levels of customer satisfaction, the 2017 survey has shown an improvement across all aspects of the service.

Overall satisfaction has improved from mean score of 4.05 (2016) to 4.26 (2017), on a five point scale where the top score possible is 5.0. Scores are very strong across all assessment areas (Offices, Staff, Services and Processes) and JobPath clients are most satisfied with the staff and offices.

The strongest improvements are noted in the performance of JobPath providers in delivering a good understanding of the service being offered, timely organisation of the first meeting and personal advisor aid to develop a Personal Progression Plan. Just over 80 % of clients agree that the JobPath service has helped improve their prospects in getting a job.

The results of the Independent Customer Satisfaction Survey are available on the Department’s website at – .

As at end of March, approximately 155,878 Jobseekers have engaged with the service, with only 567 complaints received in total – 0.36 per cent. Of these 377 were related to Customer Service, 118 involved policy issues, 54 related to clients not wishing to engage, 11 Data Protection queries and 7 related to Legislation. To date only six customers have requested my Department to review their complaint, all have been finalised.

Schemes such as Tús provide part-time temporary work in local communities, as a stepping-stone back to employment. However, it is important to note that these placements are not full-time sustainable jobs. Instead, they are designed to break the cycle of unemployment and maintain work readiness, thereby improving a person’s opportunities of returning to the labour market or getting a job for the first time.

JobPath aims to place jobseekers into full-time sustainable employment by providing intensive individual support to help them to overcome barriers to employment.

The Department is very conscious of the valuable contribution the Tús scheme is making in the provision of services to individuals and communities across Ireland.

I am satisfied that both JobPath and Tús play an important role in customer activation and employment support, however they are services with a different nature and direction and are not directly comparable.

The Department keeps all aspects of its activation programmes under review to ensure the best outcomes for participants

I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.