Public Consultation: Pathways to Work Strategy Call for Submissions

The Irish economy continues to grow and shows no sign of slowing down. At over 2.3 million, there are now more people working in Ireland than ever before, with over 400,000 jobs created since the economic low point. Unemployment, which currently stands at 4.5%, continues to decrease towards pre-crisis levels and wages are increasing.

This growth is most welcome but we cannot be complacent. We must make sure that every citizen has the opportunity to benefit from the buoyant economy. We must leave nobody behind.

Pathways to Work is the Government’s overarching policy framework for Activation and Employment Policy. The initial Pathways programme covered the period 2012-2015 and focused on providing activation, training and employment supports to jobseekers during a time of high unemployment.

Now, with the continued improvement in economic circumstances, preparations have begun for a revised employment services strategy for the post 2020 period, to see what else can and should be done, or what can be done differently, to increase labour market participation, reduce unemployment durations and improve the progression to employment of people who remain unemployed in a time of economic prosperity.

The new strategy will focus on increasing labour market participation and improving employment outcomes for workers and for employers. In doing this it will need to consider the needs of

• Long term unemployed people
• People with disabilities
• Older Jobseekers
• Jobseekers from migrant backgrounds
• Jobseekers from traveller backgrounds
• Lone Parents, and
• Unemployed adult dependents of claimants of welfare payments
• Existing workers seeking to develop their careers/earnings.
• Recruitment requirements of employers

Furthermore, as the skills and jobs landscape changes over the coming years, the State and in particular the Public Employment Service – Intreo – must be equipped to better deliver services. A number of areas have previously been identified as warranting further attention, including the following:

• Increasing labour market participation – particularly among under-represented groups (i.e. women and people with a disability (PWD)) – and the integration of foreign workers in Ireland.
• Providing career guidance and employment supports to workers in industries likely to be impacted by technological change and a transition to a low carbon economy.
• Developing return to work services as part of Intreo, providing tailored advice and information to returnees on skills requirements, training options and available in-work supports.
• Engaging with the further education and training sector to improve the quality of education and training opportunities which are offered to jobseekers and those who wish to upskill or change career.

Submissions are invited from interested parties to assist the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection in defining the strategic direction of the revised Employment Services strategy and in particular the development of its Intreo Public Employment Service. While you can feel free to submit a general submission and are welcome to focus on themes and issues which are relevant to your interest, we also invite you to complete our survey by clicking here.

Please send general submissions to Pathwaystowork@welfare.ie no later than noon, Wednesday, 25th September making sure to provide your name and organisation.

To view the consultation click the button below.