Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 October 2016
330. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons served by the JobPath programme, especially in the Coolock and Kilbarrack employment exchanges in the Dublin Bay North constituency; the success of these persons in securing employment; the supports provided to older workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30764/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraJobPath is an employment activation service that supports people who are long-term unemployed and those most at risk of becoming long-term unemployed to secure and sustain paid employment.
Participants on JobPath receive intensive individual support to help them tackle barriers to employment and to assist them in finding jobs. Each person is assigned to a personal adviser who assesses a person’s skills, experience, challenges and work goals. The personal adviser works with the jobseeker to agree a personal progression plan that includes a schedule of activities, actions and job focused targets.
Participants receive the JobPath service for a period of 12 months (which can be extended by up to six months to facilitate the jobseeker completing training programmes) or until such time as they find employment whichever is the sooner. If the jobseeker secures employment during this period they will continue to receive support for at least three months and up to twelve months while in employment.
To date, some 63,000 jobseekers have been referred to the JobPath service and of these c.800 are from the Coolock and Kilbarrack Intreo Centres. Initial JobPath performance statistics are expected to be finalised by the end of the year.
My Department has put in place some special administrative provisions for older jobseekers. These provisions aim to help people during the transition from the labour force into retirement. These provisions recognise that older jobseekers may have more difficulty re-training and re-entering the workplace if they lose their job when they are near to retirement age. People over 65 who are claiming jobseeker’s benefit (JB), and who have at least 156 PRSI contributions, can continue to receive JB until their 66th birthday even if their claim is due to end before that date. A person claiming jobseeker’s benefit or allowance and aged 62 or over, is not currently required to engage with the compulsory activation process and is not subject to penalty rates for non-engagement. However, such jobseekers can voluntarily avail of a range of supports (for example, training or employment support programmes) if they so desire. A person, who turns 62, is expected to complete the programme if already engaged in activation or currently taking part in an activation programme.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
