Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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42. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to incidences in which JobPath providers insist on seeking a commission for persons that sought work on their own accord after having attended an initial meeting with JobPath employment services despite the new employer verifying this to be the case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15369/19]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The JobPath service helps and supports people to identify and pursue suitable job opportunities themselves while their personal adviser will provide any appropriate support that the person may require.  This ranges from preparing their CV and assisting with the job application to financial assistance for clothing or transport costs at interview stage or in the first days of employment. 

JobPath fees are designed to cover the cost of the provision of a case management service.  Just as is the case with Intreo and the LES, the jobs secured by JobPath clients are not all secured on their behalf by the service providers.  However, the provision of the employment advisory service will, in most cases, have contributed to a client's ability to secure employment for themselves. 

Within the terms of the JobPath contract, a JobPath provider may submit a fee for any client who has started with the service who gains employment of over 30 hours per week and maintains it.  Payments are made at intervals of thirteen (13), twenty-six (26), thirty-nine (39) and fifty-two weeks.

The JobPath providers are required to offer in-work support to the person for up to twelve months while they remain in employment.  This includes scheduled contact with the person as well as ad-hoc contact should they need immediate support or advice, this may be particularly important for those in temporary or part-time employment to provide the specific support needed to progress to more sustainable permanent employment.

A person is not under any obligation to provide employment or employer details to the JobPath provider but, if they wish to do so and avail of the in-employment support offered, all information will be treated confidentially.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.