Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 June 2016
284. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection why persons who are long-time on JobPath with private companies and have not succeeded in getting employment are ineligible under the Tús work placement initiative; if he will review this rule to enable such persons to engage in meaningful work each day; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15333/16]
View answerParticipants on JobPath receive intensive individual support to help them address barriers to employment and to assist them in finding jobs. Each person is assigned to a personal advisor who assesses a person’s skills, experience, challenges and work goals. A personal progression plan is developed for each individual and includes a schedule of activities, actions and job focused targets. Participants are also provided with a range of training and development supports including online modules, career advice, CV preparation and interview skills. They spend a year on JobPath and if they are placed into a job they will continue to receive support for at least three months and up to twelve months while in employment.
JobPath is one of the range of activation supports, including schemes such as Tús, catering for long-term unemployed jobseekers. Clients are not permitted to participate in Tús and JobPath concurrently. Given the need to manage the allocation of places effectively, my Department does not facilitate or encourage jobseekers to leave one scheme early in order to take up a place on another scheme. Participation in Tús is an option once the client’s period on JobPath is completed. There are no plans to change the current arrangements.
