Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 November 2016
53. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection the requirement for newly qualified teachers to engage with a company (details supplied) as part of JobPath in training and activities not related to teaching; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35720/16]
View answerI have brought JobPath to the Minister's attention previously and earlier today we had a discussion on its operation and the fact that people are selected by the Department on a random basis, with people in our area being sent to Seetec. A specific problem has arisen in the case of second-level teachers, although others are also affected. They are required to pursue JobPath training activation but effectively are casual workers doing substitute work in different schools, including preparatory work. They also have to be available for work at literally a day's notice.
The key objective of activation policy and labour market initiatives is to assist jobseekers to secure work and achieve financial self-sufficiency. Ideally, this will be in the preferred profession or field of work of the unemployed jobseeker but this cannot always be the case. In particular, people who have been unemployed for a long period of time should be open to preparing for and taking up employment in occupations or sectors outside of their preferred field of work. This applies to people from all backgrounds, trades and professions.
All the jobseekers referred to JobPath have been registered as unemployed and have had a live claim for a period of at least 12 months. On referral to a JobPath service provider they are assigned a personal employment adviser who works with them to identify potential employment opportunities and support them in overcoming any barriers to employment. This may include, depending on the individual, the provision of training in job search and interview skills, or indeed in certain vocational skills.
In addition JobPath service providers will tailor their approach to accommodate and support people, such as teachers, who can secure part-time or short-notice substitution work. Accordingly participation in JobPath should not hinder people from taking the steps necessary to secure work in their chosen field. In addition participants on JobPath who secure employment continue to receive support for at least three months and up to 12 months while in employment.
During this period the JobPath service providers actively support people to move onto another job if such a move provides a better outcome for them. It should be noted that the fees paid to JobPath service providers are dependent on sustained employment outcomes.
Given this payment model, the suitability of employment for the jobseeker is a key factor in ensuring that jobs are sustained. If people are not placed in suitable jobs they will not stay in them and, therefore, JobPath service providers will not get paid. There is therefore an inbuilt incentive in the contract model to encourage the service providers to find the best fit between the jobseekers' skills and the aspirations and employment opportunities to which they are directed.
Why did the Minister not seek to agree a protocol with the different professions where people are in casual employment as part of their training, in this case perhaps through the INTO, the ASTI and the TUI trade unions? The Minister in one of his press releases referred to 60,000 people participating in the JobPath programme. Its purpose is to target the long-term unemployed. It does not seem to refer to newly qualified teachers or people who were beginning the process of apprenticeship, effectively, in teaching and going on to become full-time teachers.
I thank the Minister for the replies he sent me on that but some of them appear to be contradictory in that he said there is no restriction on unemployed teachers taking up short-notice substitution, yet he also stated that jobseeker's payment is conditional on the person seeking employment and being willing to take up suitable employment. However, with the very nature of teaching in terms of the preparatory work and these casual workers being on-call to go into class to do the 300 hours for second level qualification, JobPath makes it almost impossible for them. The Minister mentioned that it is a rewards-based system for Seetec, for the private company. That makes it extremely difficult for young professionals in training.
I would like to see a situation whereby a teacher is not on jobseerker's allowance. I know there are reasons that is the case. Some relate to pay while others relate to the fact that there are irregular hours depending on the subjects a person teaches and so on. I am hoping we will get to the point sooner rather than later where there are more permanent contracts and better pay for teachers and where this issue would not arise in the first place.
The provider informs us it is willing to offer engagement and appointment times in the early evening, which would be after school hours and, obviously, that should not be a problem for teacher to do his or her engagement at 4 p.m., 5 p.m. or 5.30 p.m. as the case may be. I am not sure how many teachers have been referred to JobPath. I will check that and if it is a significant number I will certainly give consideration to the Deputy's suggestion that some protocol be arranged with respect to teachers and their unions.
I welcome the Minister's comments. It is striking he does not have direct information on that, and I know that from the replies he sent me. Certainly with Seetec, there seems to be an impetus to drag people in and place them at all costs. The system Seetec is operating is the one it operated in the north of the United Kingdom for a number of years. Clearly, in terms of young teachers taking up employment, it seems to be particularly jarring. I would welcome if the Minister would provide that information and if he would organise to discuss it with the relevant professional bodies and trade unions to ensure young trainee teachers who are in the position of being casual workers depending on substitution work will not be put in this very difficult position.
I thank the Deputy for his co-operation. The Minister has a final minute to reply.
That is okay.
Okay. We will move on to the next question.
