Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 May 2019
1393. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person (details supplied) can be excluded from JobPath having already completed a previous JobPath course and reaching 62 years of age in May 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18418/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll Jobseekers on the live register must be capable of; available for and actively seeking full time employment, they are also required to engage with the Department’s activation services. The Social Welfare (Consolidated) Act 2005, as amended, specifies that participation in activation meetings is mandatory. However, in line with my Department’s policies on activation, jobseekers aged 62 and over are not subject to the commencement of mandatory activation measures, but those who have been selected for any activation programme and reach 62 years of age whilst with the service are expected to complete it.
Clients for JobPath are chosen by means of a random selection process which excludes those over 62 years of age as well as those who have already engaged with the programme more than 2 months ago.
Those jobseekers who are returning to the JobPath service will review their development during their previous experience with JobPath as well as identifying the barriers which are preventing them finding work for the purpose of developing and agreeing a new personal progression plan to assist them in their search for a full time sustainable job.
The person concerned has completed a number of years with Community Employment Schemes prior to his selection for referral to JobPath in 2016. On completion of his year of engagement with the JobPath service he was successful in securing another placement on a local Community Employment Scheme which finished recently. He has now returned to the live register and has been randomly selected again for activation support with JobPath. He will be assigned a personal advisor who will work with him in his efforts to find a full time job focusing on the skills and competence gained over the past couple of years.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
