Politics

Private companies bid for €142m contract to replace JobPath scheme

Winning bidder will receive a flat fee for each unemployed person they work with and additional payments for getting them into jobs

The current JobPath scheme has been controversial due to disputed claims about its success in getting long term unemployed people back into the workforce at a cost of €287 million. Above: Heather Humphries, the Minister for Social Protection. Picture: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland

Two private companies are bidding for a €142 million state contract to help long-term unemployed people get jobs.

Turas Nua and Seetec already operate the JobPath job activation programme which is coming to an end this summer.

It involves helping people who are out of work for more than 12 months with writing CVs, doing interviews and finding suitable jobs.

The Department of Social Protection is now tendering for a new “national employment service” contract ...