Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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338. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of jobs clubs (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35898/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The contracts for all currently contracted employment services, including Job Clubs, expire at the end of 2021.

The 2018 Indecon Review of Job Clubs recommended that the Department consider integrating LES and Job Clubs into one service thereby reducing administrative duplication and supporting a more effective and efficient overall employment support service.

On this basis, the current ongoing procurement of Intreo Regional Employment Services across seven counties will see the new employment service provide a range of employment services including services similar to those currently provided by Local Employment Services and Job Clubs.

As the new Intreo Regional Employment Service is rolled out throughout the State in phase 2 of this procurement process, there will be an increase in both the range of employment services and the areas where these are available.

It is expected that organisations, such as the Job Club providers, with good experience in the delivery of employment services at a community and local level will be in a strong position to work collaboratively with similar organisations to engage with the procurement process.