Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 September 2026
49. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason organisations (details supplied) remain in operation following the cessation of referrals to the JobPath programme in June 2022 and the closure of the JobPath service in June 2024, given that the programme had cost the State €344.6 million; the services these companies are currently providing; and the total cost to the State to date. [67187/26]
View answer50. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection whether his Department is currently making payments to organisations (details supplied), or to companies associated with the former JobPath programme, given that €344.6 million of public money had been spent on the programme; if so, the total amount paid to these companies to date, including payments made since the JobPath service ceased in June 2024; and the services are being provided in return. [67190/26]
View answer369. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide a full account of the outcomes and success rate of the JobPath programme operated by organisations (details supplied), including the number of people referred, the number who secured employment and the number who remained in employment for a sustained period, given that 351,319 people were referred between 2015 and 2022 and the programme cost the State €344.6 million; and the total cost to the State to date. [67192/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 49, 50 and 369 together.
JobPath was a payment by results model to provide employment services to long term jobseekers. All set-up and day-to-day operational costs were borne by the contractors. The contractors were paid on the basis of performance and with the exception of the initial registration fee, payments were made only when a client had achieved sustained employment.
Some 351,319 jobseekers commenced an engagement period with the JobPath service, of whom 88,926 secured employment, which accounted for the vast majority of fees paid to the contractors. Of those who commenced employment 37,454 jobseekers, or 42%, sustained this employment for a period of 52 weeks or more.
My Department published an econometric evaluation of the service in 2019. This research, undertaken in collaboration with the OECD, found that people who availed of the service had 26% more job outcomes than people who did not use the service. It also found that people who secured employment via the service remained in employment for longer and with higher earnings.
The OECD published a report in 2022 concerning contracting of employment services through outcome-based payment schemes. In this report the OECD stated that Ireland’s JobPath programme led to strongly positive employment and earnings outcomes across a variety of hard to place client groups.
Following a number of procurement exercises, my Department now delivers employment services through the Intreo Partner services. These include Intreo Partners Local Area Employment Service, the Intreo Partners National Employment Service, and the Employability service.
These services are provided primarily by organisations from within the community and voluntary sector as well as other specialist companies, including Turas Nua and Seetec. Since 2022, these two companies have received approximately €133 million for the provision of services across the different Intreo Partner and Employability contracts. These figures are net of any discounts, and do not take into account the savings made in respect of welfare payments for those who secured sustained employment or the resulting increase in tax receipts associated with people moving into employment.
