My Department provides a range of employment services to support jobseekers in preparing for, securing, and sustaining employment. These services are provided directly by my Department’s own staff or through the Intreo Partners service, which includes the Local Area Employment Service, or other services provided on behalf of my Department.
The Personal Progression Plan (PPP) is a crucial element of each Jobseeker’s engagement with any of my Department’s employment services. The PPP sets out the steps to be taken in order to assist the jobseeker in finding employment, and it is reviewed throughout their engagement period as they develop employment-related skills and competencies or job-related experience from short periods of employment.
Jobseekers have a right to claim an income support from my Department, and a corresponding mandatory requirement to engage with the employment services offered by my Department. While it is desirable that the jobseeker sign the PPP as part of this engagement, a person’s signature is not required on any documentation, including the PPP, in order to proceed with the Local Area Employment Service.
Where a jobseeker is not engaging with the Department's employment services, reduced rates may be applied to their payment. The application of reduced rates is entirely a matter for my Department and officials involved take all relevant factors into account. Should any reduced rates be applied, the client has the right to appeal this decision.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
