Frustrated with Turas Nua

jmcgill16 wrote: »

The current best advice is to simply refuse to sign their contract at the meetings.

I've heard multiple reports of people doing that and them just being dropped from Seetac/Turas Nua with no penalty. By attending any meetings, but just not signing over any rights to Seetac, its not refusing to engage so your JSA can't be penalized. But at the same time Seetac can't deal with you.

The department even circulated an internal memo (which has since leaked) advising its staff not to dock anyones payments who does the above, so its fairly legitimate.

i just got my 'invitation' and i'll be doing just that (refusing to sign a legally binding contract with a subcontractor of a subcontracted private company) I'm already working part time cleaning ffs i don't need my citizens rights degraded too. i'm on casual dockets and some weeks have more hours than others and i have no problem going to any meeting in social welfare and showing them my job application diary and any rejection letters, etc but i won't be giving my personal data to a faceless company who can do whatever they like with it

hoopla87 wrote: »

this was after the high court ruling in january in the case of Fagan vs Seetec and others that the PPP was a legal contract and refusing to sign it did not amount to non-engagement. He was refunded all moneys taken as were multiple people after the ruling.

This was actually confirmed by the Minister for Social Protection herself a few weeks ago in the Dail too:

https://beta.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2018-02-20/64/

She says: "my Department does not currently record failure to agree a PPP solely and separately as a reason for non-engagement."

Clearly the policy has changed within the department in light of recent events.

Good luck dealing with them - do let us know how you get on.

blowin3 wrote: »

I like you was on dockets and was also called to TN once or twice a month. I called to DSP to inform them I was taking off two weeks for holidays. They told me I had been struck off weeks ago (never informed)because I had not claimed in over 6 weeks. I pleaded the fact I was trying to get a full time job and was doing agency work on a zero hour contract. The lady said noting she could do as they are the rules so carful with X and Os claim the odd week. My hours are being cut at the moment so have to through the whole process of opening a new claim.

That’s horrible, we’re you still filling in your forms? If I get a full week I still fill in the form. Just using all o’s so I don’t get paid by them that week

blowin3 wrote: »

I was filling them out weekly and submitting them. I was never informed that I was struck off till I went in to inquire about going on a two week holiday to be informed my claim was closed. They never informed or corresponded with me to inform me of this to date.
I am now back from my holidays with no guarantee of hours as I was covering holidays for full time employees in a medical site I had been working in. As a side note the HSE withdrew my family's medical card because I was working and my wife works part time.
So think long on hard about dockets if you are not guaranteed full time work and the NICE people in TN work hand in with the DSP gathering info etc...do not trust them.

That’s really disgraceful! I know you have a right to appeal but it might be months before the money owed is returned. Thanks for sharing this info I’ll be checking the policy today and keeping this in mind if I get a few full weeks in a row. Hope you get sorted quickly! All the best

blowin3 wrote: »

Thanks hoopla87 there is no point appealing as they are the rules the lady said.
But its a crazy rule where you are trying your hardest to get full time work and not claiming from the state plus paying taxes and you are penalized for working be it only agency work. As I said make sure you make a claim within the 5 week period are you out the door. But I find it hard to turn down work when your available goes against my principles . Good luck with your job and I hope it all works out for you.

I’d be the same, the natural inclination is to accept whatever hours are available. For me, the summer usually brings the most hours so I will have to keep track of this to make sure I’m not left with nothing to live off for months after my hours go down again. Very much appreciated blowin.

Turas nua and seetech are subsidiaries of an British based company that have rolled out similar program's in the UK. They have failed miserably in the UK. They only have a 15% success rate here in Ireland and this figure is debatable as they harass you even if you get a job of your own accord to give them the name of your employer so they can claim commission from the DSP.
They are only here to make FG look good figure wise as you are not considered to be unemployed when with them hence do not have to sign on each month and so are not included in the 6.1% unemployment figure. The real figures with everyone on jobsseekers allowence and benefit included stands at over 8.7%.

This will seriously hurt FG come election time. Everyone knows someone sold to these private companies like second class citizens.

Kk333 wrote: »

Turas nua and seetech are subsidiaries of an British based company that have rolled out similar program's in the UK. They have failed miserably in the UK. They only have a 15% success rate here in Ireland and this figure is debatable as they harass you even if you get a job of your own accord to give them the name of your employer so they can claim commission from the DSP.
They are only here to make FG look good figure wise as you are not considered to be unemployed when with them hence do not have to sign on each month and so are not included in the 6.1% unemployment figure. The real figures with everyone on jobsseekers allowence and benefit included stands at over 8.7%.

This will seriously hurt FG come election time. Everyone knows someone sold to these private companies like second class citizens.

Wasn’t it Joan Burton / Labour who brought them in?

ua wrote: »

What would happen if you got a job and not tell turas nua

Don't tell them anything. They will harass you to try and get their commission which they do nothing to deserve. Tell them you've gone abroad for travelling / work/family and will no longer require their services.
If they ring you don't answer and block their number. If they persist threaten to report them for harassment.

hoopla87 wrote: »

i just got my 'invitation' and i'll be doing just that (refusing to sign a legally binding contract with a subcontractor of a subcontracted private company) I'm already working part time cleaning ffs i don't need my citizens rights degraded too. i'm on casual dockets and some weeks have more hours than others and i have no problem going to any meeting in social welfare and showing them my job application diary and any rejection letters, etc but i won't be giving my personal data to a faceless company who can do whatever they like with it

So I did go to that ‘meeting’ and refused to give my details stating that I had no intention of entering into a contract with them but that I was otherwise willing to engage. I asked where they got my data (that was on the computer in front of the lady) and asked where it was stored. She ignored my first question and said it was stored on seetec servers. Outside of Irish jurisdiction I asked? Again no answer. I was out the door 2 mins later and have just Received a letter this morning containing a notice to attend personal progression plan review meeting in two weeks time. I don’t have a PPP and legally I don’t think they should have access to my PPSN which I didn’t give them but is on the letter. Can anyone tell me if I’m correct in thinking that the DSP has illegally transferred my data to a third party company without my knowledge or consent? Also has anyone experience with these second meetings after you’ve refused to enter a contract with them? Much appreciated

Has anyone applied under GDPR rules to see what they have on you?

hoopla87 wrote: »

No I have no idea how to do that, where/how do I apply?

I emailed Hello@turasnua.ie and got a generic letter back. A friend did the same and got same letter. Interestingly he asked re a placement fee being obtained as he found his own job and they said that even if you find your own job they can still claim a fee.

hoopla87 wrote: »

So they didn’t actually provide you with the information they have on you? Isn’t that a denial of your rights?

It’s really easy to find out what files and records are held by a body about you. You just write and ask.
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/government_in_ireland/national_government/standards_and_accountability/freedom_of_information.html#ld1a9a
Just read this and it will tell you what to do. You can’t have been denied your rights if you haven’t asked and then been refused.

hoopla87 wrote: »

Thanks for that link and just to clarify; I wasn’t saying my rights were denied but the previous poster if they requested information and got none. I imagine I’ll be visiting DSP this week anyway since I’ve now had my third meeting with jobpath refusing to enter into a contract and can request the information on site

Your request must be in writing. Keep a copy of the letter and all other correspondence with DSP.

hoopla87 wrote: »

So they didn’t actually provide you with the information they have on you? Isn’t that a denial of your rights?

Registered letter arrived from them today. Will have to wait till I get home to see it.