Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 November 2017
595. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the way in which €71.2 million was allocated to and-or payments were made to contractors in the context of the JobPath scheme since 2015 to date in 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49257/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraJobPath is a payment by results model and all set-up and day-to-day operational costs are borne by the companies. The companies are paid on the basis of performance and with the exception of the initial registration fee; payments are made only when a client has achieved sustained employment. The registration fee may be claimed once a jobseeker has developed a Personal Progression Plan (PPP). Job Sustainment Fees (JSF) are payable for each 13 week period of sustained employment, up to a maximum of 52 weeks (i.e. 4 payments).
Consequently the contractors will not be able to fully recover their costs unless they help a sufficient number of jobseekers to secure employment and then support them to sustain that employment over a 12 month period.
The overall cost of JobPath will be determined by the number of people who participate in the programme and the number who get sustainable jobs.
The total amount paid in fees from the outset of the service in July 2015 up to the end of September 2017 is €71.2m, however it is not intended to publish the individual payments to the JobPath companies as these are commercially sensitive and to do so would place the State at a disadvantage both in terms of the contracts now in place and any future procurement that may be undertaken.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
