Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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242. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if cognisance will be taken of the protracted period of homelessness in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51955/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The person concerned is currently in receipt of a Jobseeker’s Allowance (JA) since 20/09/2021.  One of the qualifying conditions for JA is that a person must be capable of and actively seeking full-time employment. 

The person concerned was previously in receipt of JA during the period 28/09/2020 to 23/12/2020 and had been referred to my Department’s JobPath programme in December 2020.  As the person concerned had not completed a 12-month engagement with JobPath, she was automatically referred to JobPath when she recommenced JA in September 2021.

Participants on JobPath receive intensive individual support to help them tackle barriers to employment and to assist them in finding jobs.  Each person is assigned to a personal advisor who assesses a person’s skills, experience, challenges and work goals.  The personal advisor works with the Jobseeker to agree a personal progression plan that includes a schedule of activities, actions and job focused targets.  Jobseekers are also provided with a range of training and development supports including online modules, career advice, CV preparation and interview skills.  Jobseekers spend a year on JobPath and if they are placed into a job, they will continue to receive support for at least three months and up to twelve months while in employment.

The person concerned is actively engaged with JobPath.  Should she have any queries about her JobPath engagement, she can contact her Job Coach or alternatively she can contact the Newbridge Activation service by phone at 045 491500 or by email at astnewbridge@welfare.ie.

I trust this clarifies the matter.