Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 June 2018
250. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of referrals made by JobPath providers (details supplied) to recruitment agencies since the commencement of the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28178/18]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware the primary purpose of the activation services provided by my Department, including the JobPath service, is to assist and support jobseekers to look for and sustain full time employment. My Department refers long-term job seeking customers to the JobPath service to receive one-to one intensive and regular engagement with a personal adviser. The JobPath companies do not onward refer or place Jobseekers with recruitment agencies and accordingly there is no recording of same.
The JobPath contractors engage with employers across the range of employment sectors to establish vacancies and to understand the needs of employers in assisting job seekers returning to the workforce. The business needs of some employers and the buoyant job market occasions that some employers may choose to use the services of recruitment agencies in identifying and recruiting staff. The JobPath companies will engage as appropriate with these agencies to assist jobseekers gain sustainable employment. However, as I have indicated already, they do not refer jobseekers to recruitment companies for activation support.
Many jobseekers also self-refer to recruitment agencies to maximise their chances of employment, as well as registering with the various recruitment websites including my Department’s own recruitment website www.JobsIreland.ie.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
