Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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275. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will clarify the position of the local employment services in Clondalkin and Tallaght, specifically the reason that 39 staff have been made redundant; if this is a direct consequence of her Department tendering out of services in local employment; the local employment services that are currently available to unemployed people in this area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52619/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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As part of a significant State-wide expansion of employment services across the State, my Department signed a contract with South Dublin County Partnership (SDCP) for the provision of an Intreo Partners Local Area Employment Service (IPLAES) across Clondalkin and Tallaght. This is one of 21 contracts providing this service. The SDCP previously operated both Job Clubs and Local Employment Services on behalf of the Department.

This new Intreo Partners service is client focused, with the emphasis on assisting the long-term unemployed and others distant from the labour market with the necessary help in finding employment.

Despite a significant increased investment in employment services by my Department in South Dublin, I understand that the SDCP has issued redundancy notices to staff. Though regrettable, my Department cannot direct the employment and staffing of third-party contractors. In line with the contract the SDCP is required to sufficiently staff its employment service with appropriately qualified staff and comply with statutory employment provisions.

Once contracts were signed by IPLAESs, my Department issued upfront payments and provided every assistance to IPLAESs to mobilise services to the long term unemployed within their catchment areas. Referrals are now being made to almost all service providers, including most recently to SDCP.

I trust this clarifies the matter.