Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 November 2018
589. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans for the JobPath providers to establish pilot schemes specific to part-time workers or aimed at other groups of jobseekers; if the JobPath providers have the remit to establish such schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49368/18]
View answerLabour Market activation policies are designed to give jobseekers a better chance of finding employment, and the primary goal of my Department’s activation services is to move people from unemployment to full-time and sustained employment. In accepting payment of JobSeeker's Benefit or Assistance, the customer agrees to avail himself/herself of the appropriate support measures on offer during the course of the activation process.
JobPath is an employment activation service, which supports people who are long-term unemployed, including those working part-time and those at risk of becoming long-term unemployed, to secure and sustain full-time paid employment. All jobseekers over one year on the Live Register are eligible for selection for the JobPath service and clients are chosen by means of a random selection process.
JobPath provides an intensive personal service, which focuses on the skills and experience of each person. For customers who are in part-time employment JobPath providers focus on options or opportunities to increase the level of employment in their current role, or look at possibilities in other areas, which may also involve some training, but could provide a more sustainable income and a move away from jobseekers payments. The activation services currently provided by, or on behalf of my Department through contracted services, have the capacity to provide appropriate activation services for all jobseekers in a one to one case managed way. The providers are obliged to and are encouraged to tailor their activation support to the individual needs of each customer.
There a no current plans to ask the JobPath providers to establish pilot schemes specific to part time workers or aimed at other groups of Jobseekers.
