Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 March 2022
372. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person who is engaging with JobPath is obliged to sign a personal progression plan; and if they refuse to do so, if they can face sanctions. [13015/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll jobseekers referred for the assistance of the employment support services, including those referred to the JobPath service, are asked to complete an assessment of their skills, qualifications, and work experience for the purpose of agreeing a personal progression plan. The personal progression plan typically contains a schedule of activities, actions and job-focused targets, taking into account the person’s specific employment preferences. Jobseekers are asked to sign the personal progression plan as an indication of their agreement to carry out the activation measures contained in the document. They are not obliged to sign but their agreement is noted.
All jobseekers are required under the legislation to fully engage with the employment support service in this and all other respects. The personal progression plan is a crucial element of each jobseeker’s engagement with any of the Department’s employment support services and generally will be a document that will be reviewed throughout the person’s engagement period as they develop employment related skills and competencies or job related experience from short periods of employment.
All contracted public employment service providers do not apply or recommend the application of a penalty rate of payment. They simply advise my Department if a jobseeker is failing to engage with employment services. Officials in my Department then contact the Jobseeker and seek to arrange a meeting to discuss the matter directly with them.
