Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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611. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons on jobseeker's allowance and JobPath for 12 months or more in Ballybofey, Stranorlar and Killygordon, County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43126/19]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection provides a range of activation supports catering for long-term unemployed jobseekers and those most distant from the labour market to secure and sustain full-time paid employment. These supports include the JobPath service. 

The JobPath service was launched in 2015 on a ‘rolling basis’ with referral numbers gradually increasing over time. Between July 2015 and September 2019 some 244,400 jobseekers had engaged with the service.

While the Department does not keep separate statistics for Ballybofey, Stranorlar or Killygordon, participants in the JobPath service from these areas are most likely to have been referred by the Social Welfare Branch Office in Ballybofey.

There are currently 1,270 Jobseeker's Allowance claims registered in the Ballybofey Social Welfare Branch Office and 911 of these are for longer than 12 months. There are currently 715 clients engaged in JobPath following a referral from this Social Welfare Branch Office. 

Jobseekers may be supported through the JobPath service for up to 30 months: under the service jobseekers have access to a personal adviser (PA) who works with them potentially over two phases. During the first phase, of 12 months duration, the PA provides practical assistance in searching, preparing for, securing and sustaining employment.  It should be noted that the aim of the JobPath service is to find sustainable employment for clients during this phase.  The second phase only starts if the jobseeker is successful in finding work (during phase one).  During this phase the PA continues to work with the jobseeker for a further period of at least three months, and up to 12 months, providing in employment supports.  In addition to the two phases jobseekers may also undertake training while with the service and this may extend the period the jobseeker is supported through the service for up to a further 6 months.  Of the 715 currently engaged who were referred from Ballybofey social welfare branch office, 203 were referred over 12 months ago.

I trust this clarifies matters for the deputy.