Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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56. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 82 of 3 February 2022, the details of any analysis carried out to date by her Department into phase 1 of the roll-out of the new local area employment service; her plans to publish this analysis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14848/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department is currently procuring new employment services that will see a significant expansion of employment services, including, for the first time, State-wide services for those farthest from the labour market.  My Department is procuring a new Intreo Partners Local Area Employment Service over two distinct phases. 

Phase one of the new Intreo Partners Local Area Employment Service is complete and referrals under Phase one commenced in January 2022.  New services are now established in seven counties in the Midlands and North West that previously did not have a Local Employment Service (LES).

Phase two of the process has commenced, with the publication on 21 December last of a request for tender for seventeen lots covering 19 counties.  The deadline for tenders is 19 April and services for this phase will begin in July 2022.  

As part of this process my Department met with trade unions, providers and representative bodies.  My Department held a specific stakeholder online Information Session on 9 November last, which was attended by over one hundred and fifty interested parties.  My officials provided a comprehensive overview of the planned Phase 2 procurement before engaging in a ninety-minute questions and answers session.  Participants were invited to submit written comments and suggestions including feedback from phase 1, in advance of the finalisation of the phase 2 RFT. 

It is this feedback and my officials' engagements with relevant stakeholders that informed the design of phase two of the procurement process.   

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. Following feedback received, there were also significant changes to Lot boundaries and sizes to those recommended by consultants. 

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