Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 April 2021
106. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will address a series of matters (details supplied) in relation to the proposals to publicly tender on a cost bid model for local employment services and jobs clubs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21485/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of the July stimulus, the Government committed to increase resources dedicated to the delivery of employment services both within the Department’s own Intreo service, and, in addition, to expand the coverage of the Local Employment Services to areas not currently covered by existing providers. My Department has already increased its own complement of employment service staff and now intends to issue a Request for Tender (RFT) to expand local employment service type provision into some geographical areas where a Local Employment Service does not currently exist. The specific lots will be detailed in the request for tender, when it is published.
The forthcoming RFT will primarily focus on the quality of services to be provided, while expanding the capacity of the Public Employment Service (PES). This RFT, which is required to comply with EU procurement rules, will have no impact on the contracts of existing providers in other areas and it is expected that the tender will prove attractive to local community-based organisations, including the Local Development Companies.
In practice, the current LES funding approach requires a level of scrutiny of day-to-day expenditure, which places an undue administrative burden on both the employment service provider and my Department. Such an approach diverts valuable resources away from supporting clients and as such does nothing to enhance employment outcomes for the long-term unemployed. Moving to a new multiannual funding approach, which pays for each jobseeker referred to the service, coupled with a strong emphasis on quality of service provision will provide greater flexibility to providers to support individuals who avail of their service.
My Department is investing more in our communities by expanding employment services across the State and providing more support and assistance to the long term unemployed. We are committed to delivering a high quality employment service across the State and we need to increase the capacity of the Public Employment Service now in order to meet the expected demand arising as a result of pandemic.
Separately, the current contracts for all contracted PES provision expire at the end of 2021, following a twelve-month extension to ensure continuity of services during Covid restrictions. My Department is now developing RFTs to ensure that sufficient high-quality employment services are procured in a manner that is compatible with EU and national procurement rules.
Organisations with strong experience in the delivery of similar services at a community and local level will be in a strong position to respond to the RFTs when they issue.
