All labour activation referrals, including JobPath, were suspended in March 2020 in accordance with public health guidelines. Engagement continued during this period by phone, email and other remote means, where possible. Referrals to contracted public employment services gradually recommenced from mid-June. The pause in referrals to JobPath from March to June 2020 is reflected in the lower 2020 referral figures to date.
The most recent information readily available on the number referrals to JobPath by year is set out in Table 1 below.
Table 1 - JobPath referrals by year
Year
|
JobPath referrals
|
2015
|
6,591
|
2016
|
65,462
|
2017
|
74,874
|
2018
|
60,957
|
2019
|
50,328
|
2020
|
17,342
|
Total
|
275, 554
|
The most recent available figures show that 22,220 clients are currently in their second engagement having previously completed with the JobPath service. 3,012 have commenced a third engagement with the service. It is important to recognise that these individuals are at least three years or more unemployed and as such are very distant from the labour market. When a customer has completed their engagement with JobPath they are referred back to the Department’s Intreo service where they will receive further assistance from a case officer in their journey towards employment. This can include being referred to education, training or employment supports. If a customer has not engaged with such supports within 4 to 6 months they will then be eligible for referral to the JobPath service again.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.