JobPath Programme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 November 2020

Tuesday, 24 November 2020

Ceisteanna (546, 548, 551)

Claire Kerrane

Ceist:

546. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount paid to JobPath providers since it was established; and the amount of referral and sustainment fees. [37988/20]

Claire Kerrane

Ceist:

548. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if there is engagement with JobPath providers on the number of persons who source employment but do not sustain it beyond 13 or 26 weeks. [37991/20]

Claire Kerrane

Ceist:

551. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the oversight her Department has had of JobPath providers; and the number of notified and unannounced inspections that have been carried out. [37994/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

I propose to take Questions Nos. 546, 548 and 551 together.

JobPath 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 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 paid to the JobPath providers and up to October 2020 is €247.9m

This total breaks down as follows: -

Referral Fees: €99.9m

Job Sustainment Fees: €148m

The focus of the JobPath Service is to provide intensive support to people, who are experiencing long-term unemployment or who are at risk of becoming long-term unemployed, to secure and sustain full-time employment. This is achieved by working with the client to identify and provide intensive support to overcome barriers to employment.

The period of engagement with the service is 52 weeks, and during that time, the jobseeker avails of intensive support from a dedicated Personal Advisor (PA). If the jobseeker is successful in finding employment, the support of the PA continues for the remaining duration of the person’s engagement with the service and for a period of at least six and up to twelve months thereafter.

If the jobseeker obtains employment but it is not sustained beyond 13 or 26 weeks, the engagement with the PA will resume. The employment experience will be reviewed to build on progress, and to identify measures to sustain employment. This may entail referral to training, education or other interventions appropriate to sustaining employment.

The overall performance of the contractors in assisting persons in gaining and sustaining employment is under continual review including the numbers who sustain employment for 13, 26, 39 and 52 weeks. My Department meets regularly with the contractors to review all aspects of the contract delivery including performance.

Inspections are one of a number of key performance monitoring features, which enable my Department to oversee all aspects of the JobPath providers’ performance and ensure contract compliance.

As at end of October 2020, a total of 117 inspections have been carried out at JobPath service delivery locations; 72 have been notified and 45 were un-notified.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Question No. 547 answered with Question No. 545.

Question No. 548 answered with Question No. 546.

Questions Nos. 549 and 550 answered with Question No. 545.

Question No. 551 answered with Question No. 546.

Question No. 552 answered with Question No. 539.