James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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528. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason Turas Nua is engaging with a person (details supplied) a year after they had secured employment; her views on the approach of Turas Nua to dealing with the person; the reason an appointment with the person was recently cancelled with one hour's notice; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14756/19]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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All Jobseekers on the live register must be capable of; available for and actively seeking full-time employment. They are also required to engage with the Department’s activation services. The Social Welfare (Consolidated) Act 2005, as amended, specifies that participation in activation meetings is mandatory. 

JobPath is an employment activation service that supports people who are long-term unemployed, including those working part time and those at risk of becoming long-term unemployed, to secure and sustain full-time paid employment.  All jobseekers over one year on the Live Register are eligible for selection for the JobPath service and clients are chosen by means of a random selection process. The person concerned was referred to JobPath on 04/03/2019 as a part-time casual worker.   

Customers referred to JobPath who are also working part-time have all activities including meetings with their personal advisor scheduled around their work commitments and the JobPath contractors are required to be flexible in the provision of the service in that respect. The Department have confirmed with the JobPath contractor that the customer’s appointments will also be scheduled around their caring commitments.  

JobPath contractors endeavour to give due notice of any changes to scheduled appointments including cancellations. Unfortunately, in this case the appointment, which was scheduled for 10.30am, had to be cancelled at short notice as the Personal Adviser needed to take unplanned emergency leave. The customer was informed of same as soon as possible via a cancellation text message which issued at 9.08 a.m.

JobPath contractors do not encourage customers to give up their job. Their Personal Advisers work to provide customers with advice and guidance to secure full-time employment.

Any queries in relation to social welfare payments, either for the customer themselves or regarding their spouse, are directed to their Intreo office.

I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.