Dara Calleary
Question:107. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the tender process for all public employment services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24668/22]
View answerTuesday, 17 May 2022
Questions (107)
Written answers
My Department is currently undertaking a significant expansion of public employment services. In particular, specialised employment services for those farthest from the labour market - previously available in just twelve counties - will soon be available State-wide for the first time.
In the first phase of this procurement, contracts for Intreo Partners - Local Area Employment Services (LAES) were agreed in late 2021 across four lots in seven counties in the Midlands and North-East. These new services are now operational.
Phase two of this process is currently ongoing. The procurement of Phase 2 of the Intreo Partners Local Area Employment Services commenced with the publication of the request for tender on 21 December last. Phase 2 included a significant increase over Phase 1 in guaranteed referral numbers, calculated on the basis of ensuring the financial viability of the new employment services with due regard to the cost structures of existing Job Clubs and Local Employment Services in the Phase 2 lot areas.
Parallel to this, my Department is procuring an Intreo Partners - National Employment Service aimed primarily at reconnecting those on the Live Register for between 12 and 24 months with the labour market.
My Department previously extended the deadline for both these Requests for Tenders to 25 April to ensure all interested parties, including the community sector, will have sufficient time to prepare quality tender responses that reflect their experience and capacity to deliver quality services.
Following detailed compliance checks, the tenders received are being evaluated in accordance with procurement guidelines and regulations with the preferred tenderers being notified in due course. My officials will then proceed to finalising contracts with the preferred tenderers with a view to establishing services at the earliest possible date.