Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 July 2022
587. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the development of a new model for employment services; the engagement that had taken place with existing providers of local employment services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37039/22]
View answer634. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection when her Department expects to announce the successful applications for the recent employment services tender considering the expected timeframe is overdue and current providers will have a very short timeframe to wind down if unsuccessful in their application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37764/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 587 and 634 together.
My Department is currently at an advanced stage in significantly expanding our 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 were agreed in late 2021 across four lots in seven counties in the Midlands and North-East. These new services have been operational and accepting referrals since early this year.
Phase two of this process is expected to be concluded shortly. 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 took on board learnings from the phase 1 procurement including, for example, a substantial increase in guaranteed minimum annual referral numbers, enhanced requirements for social and community links and an increase in the number of lots.
This procurement process was preceded by extensive consultation with all stakeholders, including the community sector providers and their representative body, the ILDN. Each existing provider was visited on site by my officials and asked for their views on the way forward for the best provision of employment services and there has also been engagement with the staff representative bodies. In addition, the external consultants engaged by the Department to assist in the restructuring of these services also consulted with existing providers.
My Department extended the deadline for the Requests for Tenders to 25 April to ensure all interested parties, including the community sector, had sufficient time to prepare quality tender responses that reflect their experience and capacity to deliver a quality service.
When this procurement process is completed, the preferred bidders will be promptly contacted and engaged with a view to signing contracts and establishing new services at the earliest opportunity.
The Deputy will understand that I am not and cannot be directly involved in the procurement process.
