Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 4 December 2019
56. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans for JobPath in 2020; if the plans will change in the case of a Brexit deal being agreed and passed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50249/19]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, my Department has executed the extension provisions in the existing contracts of both JobPath providers that will enable referrals to the JobPath service until end 2020.
This decision was made partly in relation to the uncertainty caused by the Brexit process and its potential implications for the Irish labour market. This uncertainty remains and it was therefore prudent that my Department took action to ensure that the Department retained its existing level of activation capacity.
The extension of the JobPath service provides my Department with the opportunity to review all contracted public employment services. My Department is undertaking this review with the aim of designing and introducing a comprehensive model that will incorporate various models and be fit for purpose for the Irish labour market from 2021 onwards.
