Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 March 2017
294. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection the service provided by the Jobs Ireland telephone service available to employers; the way this service operates; the details of recent changes to the service; the way in which employers are advised to best make use of this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11244/17]
View answerJobsireland.ie is a free online jobs site that enables employers to post job opportunities and jobseekers to search and apply for these opportunities online. At 20 years old, the original site was showing its age. For example, although it enabled jobseekers to search for job opportunities based on job type and location, it wasn’t possible for employers to search for suitable jobseekers on the site.
Accordingly, my Department issued a tender last year for the development and implementation of a new service that would enable both employers and jobseekers to search for each other using competencies and skillsets 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. Candidates can also use the site to apply for the jobs advertised. The system will also integrate my Department’s Intreo service.
Following the procurement process, a young Irish tech company is building and delivering the new service on a phased basis. There were some teething problems with the first phase implementation, but performance issues have largely been resolved. The Department continues to work with the supplier to enhance the service and to add new functionality over the coming months.
In addition to the online service, the Department’s National Contact Centre provides a telephone service to assist employers and candidates. The original service operated from 10am to 4pm, Monday to Friday. In response to an increase in queries, additional staff were assigned to deal with phone queries and operating hours were extended to 9am to 5pm daily.
Employers can contact the JobsIreland team on LoCall 1890 800024 or Tel: +353 (0)1 2481398. Rates charged for the use of Lo-Call numbers may vary among different service providers. JobsIreland phone service details are available on the ‘Contact Us’ section of the website www.jobsireland.ie and on www.welfare.ie home page by clicking ‘Contact Us’ and then ‘Employer Engagement Support Network’.
