Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 September 2020
506. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans for Jobpath, the administration of the scheme and the contract with the company (details supplied) which was due to finish in 2019 and was extended due to Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24757/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn December 2019, my Department engaged with external consultants in order to undertake a review of all current contracted Public Employment Services (PES), including JobPath. The consultants' research, recently completed, will help inform the Government's approach on the future structure of all contracted PES. I expect that the final report will be formally submitted to me shortly.
The review process was interrupted by Covid-19 and the associated restrictions. The implementation of any recommendations arising from that report has been similarly delayed and will be adapted to meet the challenge of Covid and it's impact of the economy and labour market.
The review was commissioned on the basis of ensuring all our contracted public employment services continue to be fit-for-purpose and provide value for money.
Any provision for contracted Public Employment Services in 2021 will be in the context of managing and responding to the labour market impacts of Covid-19. My Department will work to ensure there is sufficient capacity within the Public Employment Service to provide a high-quality service to help individuals back into employment.
In July, the Government announced that we would be investing an additional €43 million into the Public Employment Service to enhance this capacity. My Department is considering how to ensure that we have sufficient capacity in the Public Employment Service to ensure that we are in a position to provide the necessary supports and services to individuals who have lost employment arising from the labour market impacts of the pandemic
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
