John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

100. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons who have been referred to JobPath after completing the scheme in full for a second time since its introduction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38815/18]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

JobPath is designed to support people who are long term unemployed to obtain and sustain employment in the open labour market. The JobPath companies have no role in selection of jobseekers for referral to the service. My Department selects clients for the JobPath service by means of a random selection process and protocols for selection currently preclude the selection of anyone who has already completed 52 weeks with the JobPath service within the previous four months.

If, however, at the end of this specified period the jobseeker has not engaged in other activation supports and services they then become eligible for selection for a second period of activation on the JobPath programme.

Since July 2015, just over 11,000 jobseekers have commenced a second engagement period with the service, having availed of the service for one year previously.

For those jobseekers returning to the JobPath service for additional assistance in their search for employment, a Personal Advisor will review their previous experience with JobPath. They will then agree a new personal progression plan, which will be developed to build on their previous engagement including tackling any barriers to employment they may have.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.