Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 April 2024
452. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection what protocols are in place for people who refuse the offer of work while in receipt of jobseeker’s payments; if employers are being liaised with; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19027/24]
View answerIntreo is the single point of contact for employment and income supports. The aim of Intreo is to provide income support and a professional employment service to help unemployed jobseekers and others to secure sustainable employment.
In order to be eligible for a Jobseekers's payment a person must satisfy all conditions including the requirement to genuinely seek employment. To satisfy this condition, it is necessary for the person to demonstrate that they have taken some positive action and are making genuine efforts to secure employment.
While in receipt of a Jobseeker’s payment, engagement with Intreo Employment Service is mandatory. Intreo Employment Service provide streamlined, practical, and tailored supports for all jobseekers. A person must work with an Employment Personal Advisor to agree a Personal Progression Plan suitable to their circumstances. This Plan will detail actions the jobseeker should take to become job ready, it may also specify training, work experience or employment schemes that are considered appropriate for their development. Payment reductions can be applied if a jobseeker, without good cause, fails to engage with Employment Services or refuses an offer of employment, training or specified employment programme which is considered appropriate to their circumstances. The jobseeker can ultimately be disqualified from their Jobseeker’s payment for up to 9 weeks and their ongoing eligibility to the payment will be reviewed. Just under 1,900 reduced rates were applied this year to end of March.
My Department engages with employers to advise them of the various supports and services provided to employ jobseekers. This can include providing employers with a bespoke recruitment service to fill job vacancies, where priority is given to jobseekers on the live register. JobsIreland.ie, the Department’s recruitment website, is available to both employers and Jobseekers and allows employers to post and promote job vacancies. The Department’s officers actively engage with employers who are facing difficulties filling vacancies at present and match employer vacancies to Jobseekers. The Department proactively engages with Jobseekers when employers advise that they have refused an offer of employment. Employers who wish to advise that a jobseeker has refused an offer of employment can contact their local Intreo Centre where an Employer Relations Officer will follow up with them.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
