Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 May 2017
279. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection to set out the number of persons currently engaged in the JobPath programme with Seetec and Turas Nua, by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23223/17]
View answer280. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection to set out the number of persons who have engaged in the JobPath programme with Seetec and Turas Nua since its inception; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23224/17]
View answer281. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection to set out the number of persons who have successfully found employment through the JobPath service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23225/17]
View answer282. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection to set out the total number of persons under 26 years of age currently engaged in the JobPath programme with Seetec and Turas Nua; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23226/17]
View answer283. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection to set out the number of persons he plans to refer to the JobPath programme in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23227/17]
View answer284. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason his plans to move 60,000 long-term unemployed persons to JobPath by the end of 2016 did not materialise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23228/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 279 to 284, inclusive, together.
As the Deputy will be aware, JobPath is an employment activation service that supports people who are long-term unemployed and those most at risk of becoming long-term unemployed to secure and sustain paid employment. The service is delivered by two companies, Seetec and Turas Nua.
The service was rolled out on a phased basis over the period mid-2015 to July 2016. The numbers referred initially were low but this has increased with over 94,000 jobseekers having commenced with the service by May 2017, this total figure is laid out by county in the following table. Of these, some 71,000 had started their engagement with the JobPath service by the end of 2016. Some 9,895 jobseekers under the age of 26 had engaged with the service by May 2017.
In the first four months of 2017 almost 23,000 customers had commenced their engagement period with the service. Given this it could be estimated that perhaps circa 60,000 customers may start their engagement period with the service during 2017.
It is important to note that jobseekers may be supported through the service for up to 30 months - under the service jobseekers have access to a personal adviser (PA) who works with them over two phases. During the first phase, of 12 months' duration, the PA provides practical assistance in searching, preparing for, securing and sustaining employment. The second phase starts if the jobseeker is successful in finding work. During this phase the PA continues to work with the jobseeker for a further period of at least three months, and up to 12 months. In addition to the two phases jobseekers may also undertake training while with the service and this may extend the period the jobseeker is supported through the service for up to a further 6 months.
It will therefore take time to accumulate a sufficient number of clients (who have completed their engagement period with the service) for complete and robust outcome data to be available. With this in mind, it is intended that a full econometric evaluation of the service will commence later this year.
However for 2017, my Department's aim is to publish a report on performance of the service on a quarterly basis. The first report was published on 17th January (and is available on the departments website) with the second report due for publication on the department's website week ending 19 May.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
JobPath customers who had engaged with the service by county as of May 2017
|
County |
JobPath Customers |
|
Carlow |
2462 |
|
Cavan |
2178 |
|
Clare |
2310 |
|
Cork |
8889 |
|
Donegal |
4581 |
|
Dublin |
16608 |
|
Galway |
4388 |
|
Kerry |
3465 |
|
Kildare |
4276 |
|
Kilkenny |
1906 |
|
Laois |
2038 |
|
Leitrim |
846 |
|
Limerick |
4851 |
|
Longford |
2163 |
|
Louth |
4118 |
|
Mayo |
1680 |
|
Meath |
1871 |
|
Monaghan |
1279 |
|
Offaly |
2907 |
|
Roscommon |
708 |
|
Sligo |
1336 |
|
Tipperary |
4934 |
|
Waterford |
3564 |
|
Westmeath |
3146 |
|
Wexford |
5077 |
|
Wicklow |
2447 |
|
Total |
94028 |
