Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 April 2026
257. Deputy Natasha Newsome Drennan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason the travel allowance at Turas Nua is only provided if the client uses public transport or the client drives themselves, and not if the client uses a third party such as a taxi or hackney; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27753/26]
View answerA distinctive client journey has been embedded into the employment services process, whereby jobseekers on the Live Register, after engaging with Intreo in the first twelve months are referred firstly to the Intreo Partner National Employment Service (NES) and after 24 months to the Intreo Partner Local Area Employment Service (LAES) which is designed to engage with those with greater barriers to the labour market. In this way, the client is referred to the most appropriate service at each point in time on their client journey.
The Employability service is open to all people with disabilities including those recovering from injury or illness, who are eager to enter or return to the workplace and need the support of a Job Coach.
The NES, LAES and Employability services are externally contracted and provided in all 26 counties by a number of contracted providers.
The contracts which are in place between the Department and the contractors specify that the services are provided from locations that are accessible to the client by public transport or private motorised transport within a reasonable journey time. There is no obligation on the contractors to provide a travel allowance to clients of the Department who have been referred to any of the employment services.
The provision and manner of any travel allowance is at the discretion of each individual contractor. Should an individual have any issue with travel to their appointments they should discuss the matter with their designated employment advisor.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
