JobPath is a costly failure – Tóibín
Aontú Leader, Peadar Tóibín TD, has said that the JobPath is not working despite the huge cost to the state. JobPath is a scheme catering for the long-term unemployed to assist them in securing full-time paid employment of self-employment.
Statistics published recently show that only 6% of those referred to the government’s JobPath service have retained a job for over a year.
Speaking today Deputy Tóibín said:
“Since JobPath was set up in 2015, it has cost the state over €182 million. However, this huge expense is not justified when you look at the figures of those who have held employment. Only 14,617 have held a job for more than a year out of the 226,851 people referred to the service.
“JobPath has failed for a number of reasons. Rather than being part of a state agency, it is run by two private companies who get almost €4,000 per jobseeker who gains employment. Anecdotally it has been a very unpleasant experience for jobseekers who are in a vulnerable position as it is who are often assigned positions they are ill suited too. Other job activation schemes are now suffering as the Department are prioritising referral to JobPath above other schemes.
“Community and local employment schemes, Tús, as well as guidance services offered by Education Training Boards across the state have proven far more effective and supportive than JobPath.
“As the contracts regarding client referrals for the two private companies that run JobPath will expire this year, Minister Doherty must look at a new, comprehensive, compassionate approach which will better assist jobseekers in securing permanent work.
“An investment in training and the Back-to-Education scheme should be considered. The Education Training Boards are an already established network across the state and should potentially be tasked with providing a high-quality employment advisory service.
“The focus must be on helping individuals first and foremost in securing a job or training that is best suited to their skills and needs. This would have far greater long-term gains in terms of employment retention and breaking the cycle of long-term unemployment.”
