Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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126. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of the tender process for all public employment services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34926/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I can confirm to the Deputy that the preferred bidders for the new Intreo Partner Local Area Employment Services and the Intreo Partner National Employment Services have today been notified.

The Intreo Partner Local Area Employment Service is already operational, under phase one in four lots covering seven counties; Donegal, Sligo & Leitrim, Laois and Offaly an Longford & Westmeath.  It specialises in engaging with those farthest from the labour market, often with multiple barriers to employment.

Phase 2 of this process is now at an advanced stage, with the notification of the preferred bidders.  The request for tender was issued on 21 December last, with an extended deadline of 25 April.  An evaluation team has been convened, the preferred bidders are being notified and the contracting process can commence.

All LES and Job Club contractors in the phase 2 area have been offered a contract extension to end-August to ensure continuity of services to jobseekers.

Parallel to this process, the procurement of an Intreo Partners National Employment Service to engage primarily with those on the Live Register for one year, having completed their engagement with Intreo caseworkers.  This service is being procured across three lots State-wide and those preferred bidders  have also been notified today.  This will be followed by contract agreement and the commencement of referrals.

These procurement processes were greatly informed by continual engagement with stakeholders.  The Intreo Partners Local Area Employment Service in particular, was enhanced significantly in phase 2, with greater financial certainty for future contractors ensured, for example, by increased guaranteed minimum referrals, clarity regarding advance payments and improved transparency around payment models and the front-loading of staged payments for client engagement.

I look forward to the delivery of this significant expansion of employment services across the State and its enhanced ability to engage with and support the long-term unemployed with the purpose of increasing labour market participation and reducing poverty levels.