2080. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person who is referred to an organisation (details supplied), may request to be returned to Intreo; and the way they can pursue this. [58596/26]

2082. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection whether he has any concerns regarding potentially more restrictive approaches by an organisation (details supplied) to the provision of funding for upskilling and training and education courses for clients, than is applied by Intreo. [58598/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 2080 and 2082 together.

A distinctive client journey has been embedded into the employment services process, whereby jobseekers on the Live Register, after engaging with Intreo in the first twelve months are referred firstly to the Intreo Partner National Employment Service (IPNES) and after 24 months to the Intreo Partner Local Area Employment Service (IPLAES) which is designed to engage with those with greater barriers to the labour market.

The IPNES and IPLAES services are delivered on behalf of the Department by a number of contracted providers. These include organisations from the community and voluntary sector and other specialist companies.

Engagement with these services is mandatory for people in receipt of a Jobseeker's payment. Once referred to a service, jobseekers are expected to complete their full engagement period. This ensures a consistent client journey, with appropriate supports provided at each stage, to assist jobseekers in finding sustainable employment.

When referred to one of the Department’s Intreo Partners, a person is assigned a personal advisor who assesses their skills, experience and work goals and agrees a personal progression plan, that may include relevant training and educational programmes to assist them in finding full-time sustained employment.

As such, training requirements and any associated funding for training is determined by the personal advisor, based on the individual needs of the client.