SIPTU representatives have today (Thursday, 7th March) called for the JobPath employment activation scheme to be brought to a swift end after it emerged that in some cases job seekers have gone through the process three times without success. SIPTU Sector Organiser, Eddie Mullins said: “Since its introduction in 2014, SIPTU representatives have consistently expressed great concern at the preference of the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection for a scheme like JobPath and the privatisation of employment services. It is clear that the cost of the scheme, when compared to existing schemes such as Job Clubs, LES, CE or TÚS represents a severe lack of value for money for the taxpayer. “The latest department figures show that 25 people have been referred to the scheme for a third time. The updated numbers show that 21,846 have been referred to JobPath for a second time. The two private companies employed by the State to operate the scheme, Turas Nua and Seetec, have received €75.7 million and €73.3 million respectively to carry out its work. “The Dáil passed a motion on Thursday, 7th February, calling on the Government to end JobPath. If the Government is serious about saving money for the taxpayer, it must end its contract with the JobPath providers and use the more cost-effective community-based employment schemes.” He added: “In that context, we fully agreed with the Dáil motion which also called on the Government to ‘properly resource and expand existing job activation schemes which are community-based, including the Local Employment Service, Adult Guidance Service, Community Employment, Rural Social Scheme, TÚS and Job Clubs’.”
SIPTU says failed JobPath scheme must be brought to a swift end
