Fears over companies outsourcing JobPath

The Department of Social Protection has been given the green light to outsource the 1,000 roles required to run its job activation scheme, JobPath, to the private sector.

However, fears have been expressed that the organisations appointed will be operating on a commission basis and will only be interested in getting people into work or training which is unsuitable.

The Public Service Executive Union and the Civil Public and Services Union had opposed the plans and the matter had been forwarded to an arbitration board. It has ruled in favour of the department.