Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 May 2022
87. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of phase 2 of the procurement process for the new local area employment service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24520/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is currently undertaking a significant expansion of public employment services. In particular, specialised employment services for those farthest from the labour market - previously available in just twelve counties - will soon be available State-wide for the first time.
In the first phase of this procurement, contracts for Intreo Partners - Local Area Employment Services (LAES) were agreed in late 2021 across four lots in seven counties in the Midlands and North-East. These new services are now operational and accepting referrals.
Phase two of this process is currently ongoing. The procurement of phase 2 of the Intreo Partners Local Area Employment Services commenced with the publication of the request for tender on 21 December last. Phase 2 took on board learnings from the limited procurement in phase 1 including for example a substantial increase in guaranteed annual referral numbers, enhanced requirements for social and community links and an increase in the number of lots.
This procurement was preceded by extensive consultation with all stakeholders, including the community sector providers and their representative body the ILDN. Every existing provider was visited on site by my officials and asked for their views on the way forward for the best provision of employment services, there has also been engagement with the staff representative bodies. In addition, the external consultants engaged by the Department to assist in the restructuring of these services also, and separately from the Department, consulted with existing providers.
My Department extended the deadline for the Requests for Tenders to 25 April to ensure all interested parties, including the community sector, had sufficient time to prepare quality tender responses that reflect their experience and capacity to deliver a quality service. I understand that tenders have been received and that an evaluation process is ongoing.
I am not and cannot be directly involved in or briefed on the identity of the bidders or the status of the evaluation process.
