Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

232. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a process has been established in writing to establish the learnings from the RFT 1 on local employment services; the timeline for same; the persons and bodies that will be involved; and if stakeholder voices will be included. [38326/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Following a review of public employment services by external consultants and in the context of expiring contracts for the provision of existing public employment services at the end of 2021, my Department is undertaking a significant procurement exercise over two phases.

The first phase, already underway, focuses on the expansion of employment services in seven counties in the North-West and Midlands currently without a local employment service. The deadline for the submission of tenders for this Regional Employment Service model recently passed and the evaluation process will begin shortly.

The second phase entails the extension of the Regional Employment Services model throughout the rest of the State, as well as consideration of a replacement of the JobPath service.

As the procurement process for Phase 1 is still ongoing, my officials are already reviewing the process for any lessons that can be taken from it, and will continue to do so as we move through the phases.

My Department has - and will continue to in the future - engaged with relevant external bodies as appropriate, while respecting the integrity of the procurement process.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

233. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of counties that do not have a local employment service. [38339/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

There are 14 counties that do not have a Local Employment Service. These are Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Donegal, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Longford, Meath, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary and Westmeath.

My Department is currently finalising a new model of employment services for some regions where there are no local employment services. This is to be followed by the roll-out of new models of employment services across the State, to be in place for January 2022 when current contracts for existing employment services expire.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

234. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the engagements she has had with Seetec and or Turas Nua and other similar service providers in respect of expanding their role in the State in respect of employment activation schemes specifically in the area of local employment services and the new pathways to work strategy. [38340/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Neither I nor my Department have had specific engagement with Seetec or Turas Nua in respect of expanding their current role. Both entities have existing contracts with my Department which provides for referrals of long-term unemployed clients until end-2021.

The Pathways to Work 2021-2025 strategy represents Ireland’s national employment services strategy and overall framework for activation and employment support and was published on the 12th of July.

The procurement of the Intreo Regional Employment Service is distinct and separate from the JobPath service and under the principle of fair and equal treatment in respect of procurement regulations, all entities are free to submit a tender under a Request for Tender.