Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 4 May 2022
322. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection if the current contracts for the provision of local employment and job clubs services have been extended until the end of August 2022; the number of times that deadlines have been extended in this process; the reason that it has been extended on this occasion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22295/22]
View answerThe provision of contracted employment service provision has been under review by my Department for some time with extensive consultation taking place with the sector since late 2018.
My Department had initially planned that the two phased procurement process for the new Intreo Partners Local Area Employment Service would be completed in 2021, with new services commencing in January 2022. However, at the request of the sector, my Department provided additional time for extensive consultation following Phase 1, which meant that the publication of the Phase 2 RFT was held until late December 2021.
In order to facilitate this extended period of consultation, my Department offered a new 6 month contract to 22 Local Employment Services and 30 Job Club contractors for the provision of activation services until 30th June 2022.
Interested parties were provided additional time to submit their tenders under Phase 2 with the deadline for bids being extended until the 25th April, which reflects the detail of the procurement process. Therefore, to provide further time for the contractors to make appropriate arrangements regarding the existing contracts and to ensure service delivery in the transitionary period, my Department has recently offered a two-month extension of the existing contract(s) for the delivery of employment services. This is an extension of the existing contract(s) for service on the same terms and conditions as the existing contract with a pro-rata value increase until August 31st 2022.
