Dáil Votes To End Jobpath

Copy and pasted from Journal website link to article below

https://www.thejournal.ie/jobpath-dail-vote-4480186-Feb2019/

A DÁIL VOTE to end the referrals of jobseekers to the JobPath scheme has passed this afternoon by 81 votes to 42.

Opposition parties united to slam the government’s job activation programme, with a debate on the issue during the week hearing the scheme being dubbed “coercive” and “ruthless” by politicians.

Sinn Féin spokesperson for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, John Brady, who moved the motion, welcomed today’s vote stating that the onus was on the government to respect the will of the Dáil.

“Today the majority of the Dáil voted in support of the Sinn Féin motion to immediately stop referrals to Jobpath and to invest in schemes that work.

“It has cost the taxpayer millions and it has caused untold damage to existing community based schemes, including the Adult Guidance Service, the Local Employment Service, Community Employment and Job Clubs,” he said.

JobPath is an employment activation service provided to people who have been on the live register for more than 12 months and are trying to secure and sustain full-time paid employment or self-employment.

Private companies

The two private companies employed by the State, Turas Nua and Seetec, to operate the scheme have received €75.7 million and €73.3 million respectively to carry out its work.

The two contractors are paid to work with both the jobseeker and employers to identify employment opportunities.

They receive payments when someone who has taken part in the scheme gains proven employment.

Sustainment payments are also to be made to the companies over the course of a year in respect of each person who secures employment having engaged in the JobPath process.

"So the Government have just been defeated on the @sinnfeinireland motion on the discredited #jobpath scheme. They must now act on the will of the Dáil and stop referrals to #turasnua & #seetec immediately & invest in job activation schemes that work."

— John Brady TD (@johnbradysf) February 7, 2019

https://twitter.com/johnbradysf/status/1093504258698346496?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

TheJournal.ie revealed last year that the private companies contracted by the State to run the scheme are entitled to €3,718 for every jobseeker that gains sustained employment for one year through the JobPath scheme.

Those that refuse to engage with the scheme can have their social welfare reduced or cut off. In the last number of months, criticism has been levelled at the private companies that operate the scheme, with politicians highlighting a number of issues.

Unsuitable

"Speaking tonight in the #Dáil on Sinn Féins motion to abolish the #Jobpath scheme . This scheme has failed at a huge cost to the taxpayer. It should be abolished."

— Gerry Adams (@GerryAdamsSF) February 5, 2019

https://twitter.com/GerryAdamsSF/status/1092886041650966528?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Many personal testimonies of those on the scheme have been highlighted during debates and committee hearings on the scheme – with criticisms being levelled at programme for attempting to place people in unsuitable work placements.

Defending the government’s scheme this week, the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection Regina Doherty said approximately 41,000 individuals have found full-time jobs while engaged with the JobPath service – with a further 5,000 finding part-time jobs.

Had To Travel 36 miles For Nothing

I recently was talking to someone I know who is also on Jobpath and their nearest People1st center is a 18 mile drive away. They were telling me that they had a meeting with their job adviser and that they left home in time for the meeting but they were five minutes late because of the bit of snow that we had on the roads.

They apologized for being late and explained the reason why, that meant nothing as all their job adviser said to them was that they could not seem them now as they were five minutes late and that they would have to make another appointment at reception and with that they turned round and walked back to their desk.

Now this person had to drive 18 miles just to get to the People1st center but because they were five minutes late they weren't seen and had to drive another 18 miles to go back home.

It seems to be OK for staff members in People1st to keep unemployed people waiting at reception for five minutes but not OK to keep staff from a private company waiting. Again one rule for unemployed people and another for private company staff members.

I have to say that with my present job adviser I am rarely kept waiting for more than a minute but I have at times been sitting waiting for five minutes on one or two occasions the first time I was on Jobpath. I also remember very clearly arriving early for the CV gateway course yet it didn't start until 10:13am yet it was OK for People1st staff members to keep us all waiting for the course to start.

Dáil Private Members Bill To Abolish Jobpath

Private Members Bill to abolish Jobpath. The bill about Jobpath starts from 6:26:26 so play from there.

Regina Doherty left the meeting not long after it started, she didn't want to hear the truth. She spun nothing but lies and I have to say as an unemployed person that is on Jobpath for a second time I was very shocked at some of the statements she was coming out with.

As one of the unemployed people currently on Jobpath I can say that it was nothing more than government spin coming from her, a woman who's firm folded with debts of €280,000 yet she is Minister for Employment Affairs & Social Protection.

https://www.independent.ie/business/small-business/fine-gael-tds-firm-folds-with-debts-of-280000-29021682.html