Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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1044. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the matters that were identified for improvement from phase 1 of the tender process for regional employment services which have been incorporated as part of phase 2 of the tender for local area employment services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1817/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department is procuring a new Local Area Employment Service  over two distinct phases.

Phase one of the process for procuring new employment services involved seven counties in the Midlands and North West currently without a Local Employment Service. Contracts were signed last month and the new services are currently being mobilised.

Phase two of the process has now commenced, with the publication on 21 December last of a request for tender for seventeen lots covering 19 counties.  Services for this phase will begin in July 2022.

My Department carried out an analysis of the learning's from the Phase 1 procurement process itself and feedback from the sector. The Phase 2 RFT differs from the Phased 1 RFT in relation to minimum referral numbers, referral contract values and addressing issues such as up-front advances to assist cash flow for potential tenderers.

The Deputy will be aware from her role as a Board Member of an interested party and her attendance at information sessions for prospective tenderers on 9th November last and more recently on 11th January that there are also significant changes to Lot boundaries and sizes to those recommended by the external consultants engaged by the Department. 

Other elements of the Phase 2 RFT have also been revised and improved to ensure the employment service reflect best practices and is best positioned to attract quality tenders that can provide the services needed for those furthest from the labour market.