Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 July 2022
635. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will advise with regard to the forthcoming changes to national employment services how and when the termination of existing contracts will be communicated to clients accessing current services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37765/22]
View answer636. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will advise with regard to the forthcoming changes to national employment services the advice or supports that are in place to support existing providers with forecasting expected expenditure in advance of the termination of current contracts on 31 August 2022; if an extension can be put in place until end of year for partnerships to close off all financial matters; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37766/22]
View answer637. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if there is a process in place with regard to the forthcoming changes to national employment services for Local Employment Service clients wishing to avail of training funding for courses which are not completed before the end of August 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37767/22]
View answer638. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will confirm with regard to the forthcoming changes to national employment services if INTREO staff will process back to education allowance applications for Local Employment Service and Job Club clients from August and September 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37768/22]
View answer639. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the way that her Department intends to support the transfer clients from Local Employment Service and Job Club caseloads to INTREO; if she will advise the resources that are currently in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37769/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 635 to 639, inclusive, together.
In 2022 my Department contracted with 22 Local Employment Services and 27 Job Clubs for the provision of employment services, originally up to 30 June and then further extended until 31 August 2022.
My Department has engaged extensively with existing providers of services in regard to the restructuring of services. Interactions have taken place at local contract management level along with more broader engagement at a central level through the Contracted Public Employment Services Unit of the Department. The specific administrative requirements of contract closure are covered in the agreed contract for services and associated guidelines. My Department will as a matter of course honour all agreements made.
Costs relevant to the provision of LES and Job Clubs service up to the 31 August 2022 will be paid. Relevant costs will be processed provided they relate directly to the period of the contract and have been included in the calculation of the final claim. The final claim can be processed in the month following the end of the contracted term, but may be processed at a later date, depending on the individual circumstances.
The Mediator Fund is designed to assist LES Mediators implement a range of responses to meet the needs of clients who are experiencing barriers in progressing from unemployment to the workforce.
All LES clients, who are engaged with a LES Mediator and are following a Personal Progression Plan, are eligible to apply for support through the Mediator Fund. My Department informed Local Employment Service contractors in January of this year, that all training supported by the Mediator Fund must be availed of and completed within the 6-month contracted term 1 Jan to 30 June 2022. With the extension of contracts to 31st August a further notification issued to contractors that all payments for Mediator Fund supported training must be processed and completed within the contracted term from 1 Jan to 31 August 2022.
The Back to Education Allowance scheme (BTEA) is an educational opportunities scheme for customers in receipt of certain social welfare payments wishing to pursue second or third level courses of education, subject to meeting the qualifying conditions. My Department’s Employment Personal Advisers process all allocations for this scheme and this will remain the case. Any decision in relation to BTEA is not based on attendance nor does it require attendance at a Local Employment Service or Job Club. Any customer wishing to avail of the scheme should contact their local Intreo Centre.
As the Public Employment Service, Intreo offers support to all individuals who require advice and access to employment services. This remains the case whether the person is availing of other services of my Department or not. There are sufficient resources in Intreo and other Intreo Partner services to deliver services to any person who requires them.
