John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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765. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a matter will be addressed regarding the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29318/19]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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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.

Customers referred to JobPath who are also working part-time will 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 customer in question had completed a year with the JobPath service last November.  In the intervening period of six months they had not found sustainable full-time employment, and had not been selected for any other activation support service, and therefore became eligible for reselection for JobPath in May.

Seetec have stated that an error was made when scheduling an initial appointment after the client had informed the service provider of their work days.  A complaint was submitted directly to the service provider by the customer.  Seetec immediately acknowledged the error and apologised to the person concerned and also gave an undertaking to schedule appointment for days on which the individual was not working.

This matter has now been rectified and appointments will only be scheduled for days on which the client is not working.  The incorrect appointment and follow on letter have been removed from the client’s record.

JobPath provides an intensive personal service which focuses on the skills and the experience of the individual.  As this client is already in part-time employment the focus will be to secure sustainable full time employment. 

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.