Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 October 2021
36. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection the social clauses that will be applied at the eligibility stage and at the award stage in order to factor in broad policy considerations into the procurement process of the regional employment service request for tender. [48536/21]
View answerMy Department is now at an advanced stage in its first phase of procuring new employment services. This phase involves the procurement of regional employment services for seven counties in the Midlands and North-West across four lots. These counties do not have an existing local employment service and represent the first phase of an expansion of similar employment services across the State.This procurement process follows extensive consultations by my Department with the existing service providers over the last number of years. The Phase two procurement, which will see the Regional Employment Service model rolled out across the State will take on board the learnings of the first phase. This is a significant expansion of employment services and will result in State-wide coverage of employment services for those furthest from the labour market for the first time.The request for tender for phase 2 will be published in due course and, until then, it is not possible to discuss in detail specific aspects of the select or award criteria of the RFT.Nevertheless, I have already put on the record that the procurement process for the Regional Employment Service places a strong emphasis on the quality of employment services to be delivered by successful tenders. In addition, tenderers are asked to clearly demonstrate how they will add social value and through stakeholder networks how they will ensure their clients can avail of the most appropriate local services to deliver the support they require.
