Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 November 2013
370. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to outsource tasks such as jobseeker case management, employment engagement, job activation, job matching and placement to external private contractors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50418/13]
View answerThe Pathways to Work initiative signalled the potential of contracting with third party providers to supplement and complement existing employment activation services provided by the Department and Local Employment Service (LES), thereby increasing our capacity to serve unemployed people. The potential contribution of such contracting and the design of a contracting approach have since been under consideration by the Department. JobPath is the working title for this new service.
During the summer the Department issued a Prior Information Notice (PIN) to formally notify the market of the State’s intention to procure employment services. Such services may include the provision of advice and assistance regarding job searching; employment and career options; personal action plans; personal skills; work experience; training/further education; preparation of CVs as well as recruitment services to employers and ‘in-work’ advice/coaching to jobseekers. The Department also held two JobPath information sessions at which it outlined its current thinking in relation to how the new service might operate. On 7 November 2013, Enterprise Ireland hosted a capacity building and networking event for interested parties of JobPath. It is the Department’s intention to issue a contract notice for the procurement of JobPath services in the near future.
