Dara Calleary
Question:57. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Social Protection the strategy for the procurement of public employment services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58002/21]
View answerThursday, 25 November 2021
Questions (57)
Written answers
The current procurement of public employment services follows extensive consultations by my Department with the existing service providers and employee representatives over the last number of years. On November 9th, my Department hosted a webinar for over 150 people with an interest in tendering for the ongoing procurement of employment services at which questions were taken for over an hour following a presentation which provided detailed information on public employment services procurement.
The Regional Employment Service model used for phase one was the product of extensive stakeholder engagement and the input of external consultants. It is fully in line with the recently published Pathways to Work 2021-2025 strategy.
Phase One of the process is focused on the procurement of a Regional Employment Service in seven counties (Donegal, Sligo-Leitrim, Longford-Westmeath and Laois-Offaly) which are currently without a local employment service. This process is at an advanced stage. The second phase of procurement which is currently under preparation will see the Regional Employment Service expanded throughout 19 further counties.
My officials will continue the ongoing dialogue with the stakeholders and employee representatives and will engage further with them before finalising the Phase two procurement.
The Request for Tenders for the Regional Employment Service and the National Employment Service will be issued before year end, with an approximate deadline of March for tenderers. It is intended that the services will be in place from July 2022.