Local TD questions JobPath programme

A NORTHSIDE TD has questioned the introduction of the JobPath programme by Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton.

On December 12, 2013, the Department of Social Protection published a Request for Tenders (RFT) for the provision of employment services for the programme. The closing date for receipt of tenders was February 28.

Dublin Bay North TD Tommy Broughan believes the programme could result in large private companies dealing with hundreds if not thousands of jobseekers.

“This should be part of the role of the Department of Social Protection and community and non-for-profit bodies,

? he told Northside People.

Deputy Broughan expressed concern that the JobPath programme could end up being provided mainly by larger private companies,

“as they will have a greater ability to compete for training contracts

?.

“It is likely that community and non-for-profit providers, who have been involved in great work for many years in assisting jobseekers to find employment, may lose out to massive private companies from outside Ireland,

? said Deputy Broughan.

“There is also the potential that the JobPath programme could cost the State more money in the long run because it will be operating outside of the State’s own jobseeking support services.

?

Deputy Broughan also questioned whether programmes like Jobpath were the best way forward for assisting unemployed people to find work.

“The Department of Social Protection has the largest budget of any department and it does not make sense that it will be adding another layer of complexity in assisting jobseekers to find employment,

? he added.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Social Protection said it was not necessarily the case that contracts will be exclusively with large private commercial companies.

“Many of the larger companies involved in this activity in other states are not-for-profit and/or voluntary/community companies,

? she told Northside People.

“Existing contractors delivering services on behalf of the Department of Social Protection were also free to participate in the tender process.

“The cost of the JobPath service is dependent upon the price agreed following the tendering process.

“In addition, as JobPath is a payment-by-results model, the actual cost will be dependent upon the number of individuals that JobPath providers successfully place into sustained employment.

?

The spokeswoman said JobPath clients while on the programme will be able to access employment supports provided by the department.

“In addition, JobPath clients may be referred to training and/or education programmes while they are on the programme,

? she added.

It is expected that contracts will be awarded in mid-2014 and, subject to tender responses, services will commence in the fourth quarter of this year.