Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 January 2019
581. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the preliminary work completed on tendering for the local employment service; her plans to commence a tender process for the service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4341/19]
View answerMy Department oversees the procurement for JobPath, the Local Employment Services, LES, and Jobs Clubs. The LES and Job Clubs are currently on annual contracts, which are reviewed on an ongoing basis. The contracts for JobPath are due to expire at the end of 2019, with some contractual provisions for extension, although this is not envisaged at this point.
In this context, my Department is continually engaged in ensuring all contracted public employment services are fit for purpose. No formal tendering process for 2020 is currently under way, and no final decisions have been made in this regard.
My Department will continue to consult with the relevant stakeholders to ensure that any future contracted PES gives the best possible service for those who wish to return to the labour market.
