Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 September 2017
53. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will review the JobPath scheme in view of the numbers that have been sanctioned through the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39687/17]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the State’s Public Employment Service is managed by my Department and delivered directly by its own Intreo service as well as by contracted private companies, such as JobPath, Local Employment Service and Job Club providers. The Department has contracts in place with in excess of 60 companies for the provision of these services. This includes two contracts with JobPath service providers.
The JobPath service commenced operations in mid-2015, and reached full State-wide delivery of service in July 2016. Almost 120,000 Jobseekers have commenced with the service to date.
Of the 120,000 clients who engaged with the service, approximately 7000, or 5.8%, have had a penalty rate applied to their payment at some stage. It should be noted however that some of these clients may have had a penalty rate applied after finishing their engagement period with the JobPath service, so the actual number who have had a penalty rate applied while with the JobPath service is likely to be slightly lower.
It is important to note that the rules and processes for the application of a reduced rate of payment are the same across all of the Department’s employment services whether they are delivered directly by the Department’s own Intreo service or through its contracted services.
It should also be noted that only a Departmental official (not contractor’s staff) can make such a decision.
The process with regards to such decisions includes written/verbal warnings and an opportunity for the jobseeker to re-engage with the services prior to the application of a reduced payment rate.
