Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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534. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the assurances she can give persons working in local employment services and job clubs across the country that their jobs will be protected by the Government in the context of the tendering process she is pursuing. [24940/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department is currently undertaking a significant expansion of public employment services, through an open and competitive public procurement process. In particular, specialised employment services for those farthest from the labour market - previously available in just twelve counties - will soon be available State-wide for the first time.

In the first phase of this procurement, contracts for Intreo Partners - Local Area Employment Services (LAES) were agreed in late 2021 across four lots in seven counties in the Midlands and North-East. These new services are now operational and accepting referrals. In two of the three lots where community and voluntary groups submitted tenders, they were successful which is evidence that this sector can compete successfully as part of the procurement process.

Phase two of this process is currently ongoing. The procurement of Phase 2 of the Intreo Partners Local Area Employment Services commenced with the publication of the request for tender on 21 December last with a deadline of the 25th of April. Phase 2 included a proportionate increase over Phase 1 in guaranteed referral numbers, calculated on the basis of ensuring the financial viability of the new employment services with due regard to the cost structures of existing Job Clubs and Local Employment Services in the Phase 2 lot areas.

In the context of a live competitive procurement process, I am not and cannot be directly involved in or briefed on the identity of bidders or the status of the evaluation process.