Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 November 2016
69. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans for securing the future of community employment schemes; and if he will allow persons referred to JobPath to be able to apply for community employment positions. [36033/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides a range of activation supports and programmes catering for long-term unemployed jobseekers and those most distant from the labour market. These include the JobPath service and programmes such as Community Employment (CE).
CE schemes provide part-time temporary work in their local communities, as a stepping-stone back to employment, for people in receipt of a range of social welfare payments including those on a long-term jobseeker’s payment. However, it is important to note that CE placements are not full-time sustainable jobs.
The JobPath service is provided for jobseekers only. The period of engagement with JobPath for any individual is typically 52 weeks. During that time, they receive intensive individual support to help them overcome barriers to employment and are also provided with a range of training and development supports, including online modules, career advice, CV preparation and interview skills. During the year, if a person is placed into a job they will continue to receive support for at least three months and up to an additional twelve months while in employment. Jobseekers who are engaged on JobPath are ineligible for CE for the duration of the JobPath intervention. People who have completed their year-long engagement with JobPath may, if eligible, apply to partake in a CE Scheme after they have been assessed by one of my Department’s case officers.
In general - and JobPath is no exception - jobseekers are not allowed to participate in two employment activation supports at the same time. Given the need to manage the allocation of places effectively, my Department does not facilitate or encourage jobseekers to leave one scheme early in order to take up a place on another scheme. Participation in other schemes remains an option once a person completes their JobPath engagement.
Finally, the Deputy should note that a review of CE schemes has taken place. I met with my officials to discuss the outcomes of this review and I hope to be in a position to bring a Memorandum to Government on these matters in the coming weeks. If there are any changes to be made, consultations with stakeholders will be facilitated.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
