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Job Vacancies

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 November 2016

Tuesday, 29 November 2016

Questions (322)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

322. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection if his attention has been drawn to complaints from companies concerning the effectiveness of an online vacancy and job-matching service (details supplied), specifically the low number of applicants yielded from the advertisement of opportunities on the site; the process by which notifications of new vacancies are communicated to his Department's officials for the purpose of matching candidates to positions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37036/16]

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Written answers

Jobsireland.ie is a free online jobs site that enables employers to post job opportunities and jobseekers to search and apply for these opportunities online. The new service has been available since 28th July 2016, replacing an older site that enabled jobseekers to search for job opportunities based on job type and location, but did not facilitate employers to search for suitable jobseekers on the site – they had to rely on candidates finding and applying for a job from among the many thousands hosted on the system.

Accordingly, the Department commissioned the development and implementation of a new service that would enable both employers and jobseekers to search for each other using competencies and skill sets as well as the traditional job-type classifications. As part of the new service, candidate profiles will be automatically matched to job specifications posted by employers with both candidate and the employer notified when a suitable match is found. Candidates can also use the site to apply for the jobs advertised. The system will also integrate with the Department of Social Protection’s Intreo service and will include other new features such as allowing jobseekers to post CVs and video profiles if they wish.

The service is being implemented on phased basis which means, unfortunately, that there is some service disruption while work is ongoing. There have also been some teething problems with the first phase implementation, but the Department is working with the supplier to resolve these and improve and add new functionality over the coming weeks and months.

A significant upgrade was implemented on the weekend of 26/27 November. This upgrade has resolved many of the teething issues and is now expected that service performance will improve markedly.

Employers or any person experiencing difficulties with the website can contact the Department’s National Contact Centre on 1890 800 024 for assistance. Additional resources have been assigned to expedite queries.

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