Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 10 Nov 2015

Vol. 895 No. 3

Topical Issue Debate

Sports Facilities Provision

Deputy Jerry Buttimer

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to raise this matter on a very emotional and significant day. All politics is local; that is why I am here. On the day we signed the commencement order of the marriage equality Act, I raise the issue of the need for clarity to be provided on the funding for the redevelopment of Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Cork.

The Government has a very proud and strong record on supporting large, important and necessary infrastructure projects in Cork. Deputy Varadkar, the predecessor of the current Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Paschal Donohoe, ensured that, with a limited budget, projects on the south side of the city were funded. The current Minister has announced funding for the Dunkettle interchange and the Cork–Ringaskiddy road under the capital programme. Funding of €10 million has been included for the event centre and funding has been made available for the redevelopment of the historic Beamish and Crawford brewery site.

The other significant project that the Government is committed to involves the provision of €30 million for the redevelopment of Páirc Uí Chaoimh, a development that is necessary and that will provide a significant economic boost for the city during its construction and when the stadium is in use. The estimated total cost on completion is €70 million. The stadium will have a capacity of 45,000. It will be a state-of-the-art facility for players, fans and staff. The investment is not just about the stadium but also about jobs, the development of the marina park and delivering a tourism and economic boost to the area to the tune of €22 million. The combined projects will create employment and see a facility being redeveloped. They will give to a generation of Cork people in the GAA a home for their activities, be it playing matches, training or creating a centre of excellence.

Last month the Cabinet recognised the importance of, and signed off on, the grant of €30 million. We are led to believe, however, that Europe has raised questions about the allocation of the funding. It is important that there be clarity on this. Is Europe becoming too involved, interfering and putting its nose in where it should not be? Is it the case that state rules were misapplied or not applied appropriately? We need certainty at this stage in order that the project can continue and we will see the proper and justified use of taxpayers' money.

As the Minister knows, the Cork county board has done a very significant job in making the finances available along with Government funding. The board is committed to working with all the stakeholders to ensure the project is brought to completion. Without State funding, it would not be possible to deliver the project. If the Government were not involved, no private operator could step in to develop the project. Without Government funding, the redevelopment of Páirc Uí Chaoimh would be unlikely to take place. In saying that, there is a need for clarity and certainty, not only for the people of Cork but also the men and women of Cumann Lúthchleas Gael, all of whom work every day to provide facilities and help young boys and girls to play and train in our Gaelic games.

We know the Government is committed to ensuring this important project is supported and comes to fruition, but it is important that we be assured the Minister and his officials will do everything in their power to ensure the best case is put forward at European level. The project is of importance not only to Cork but also to the wider region, and it is the source of ongoing consultation between the Department and the local team at county board level. It is important to ensure the redevelopment takes place while at the same time ensuring there is transparency and value for money for the taxpayer.

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (Deputy Paschal Donohoe)

I also acknowledge what a very important and positive day this is. I am confident history will recognise the leadership role Deputy Jerry Buttimer played in allowing our country to get to this point. It is my sincere hope that the people of Cork will do so as well.

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. As he acknowledged, Exchequer funding of €30 million in support of the Cork GAA's Páirc Uí Chaoimh redevelopment was agreed by the Government and announced as part of a package of stimulus measures in May 2014. The package set out a proposed additional Exchequer investment of €200 million to fund new projects in a range of sectors. As with previous investment packages, the projects were spread geographically across the country and were expected to create economic activity and employment. The announcement stipulated that projects were approved subject to compliance with the public spending code.

The redevelopment of Páirc Uí Chaoimh includes the development of a centre of excellence, including a full-sized all-weather training facility and the establishment of a local marina park. The redeveloped stadium will see an increase in capacity, with the new development accommodating 45,000 spectators when completed. The proposed provision of €30 million from the Exchequer is expected to help to progress this project, with the balance of funding being provided by the GAA at national, provincial and county levels.

As the funding will be channelled through my Department's Vote, with accountability for the investment lying with the Department's Accounting Officer, full compliance with the public spending code is required by my Department. In addition, the normal terms and conditions of the sports capital programme will apply. The public spending code requires that all publicly funded projects or initiatives should be appraised carefully for consistency with programme or policy objectives and value for money. Following liaison between with my Department's economic, financial and evaluation unit and Cork GAA's advisers, a business case, incorporating an economic appraisal, was submitted on 13 August by Cork GAA. This business case was sent to the central economic evaluation unit in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for approval in accordance with the provisions of the public spending code. That Department has recently advised my Department that the business case is public spending code compliant. Following the receipt of the finalised business case from Cork GAA in August, arrangements were made to discuss the project in detail at a meeting with the European Commission in Brussels.

After that meeting and the earlier submission of a pre-notification questionnaire, the competition directorate of the European Commission informed the Department by correspondence dated 28 October 2015 that a notification to the Commission for state aid clearance is required in respect of grant aid for the redevelopment of Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Naturally, this requires further work on the part of both Cork GAA and my Department. The format for the notification will follow a template provided in EU regulations, supplemented by additional material specifically requested by the Commission in regard to the project. This additional material will cover matters such as the nature and scope of the project, the amount of aid and its percentage of the overall costs, or the aid intensity. Other information sought by the Commission includes the planned operation and use of the stadium, attendance figures, participation figures and other details.

The Deputy will appreciate that the Department must comply with the Commission's requirements. While there is a Government decision to grant aid this project, it is not possible to give formal confirmation of the project until this process has been completed successfully.

I want to assure the Deputy and the House that my officials are working closely with Cork GAA and its advisers to ensure that the necessary material is compiled so that the notification can be formally submitted to the Commission as quickly as possible.

Deputy Jerry Buttimer

It is important to recognise that the business case is compliant with the public spending code. I welcome the fact from the Minister's speech that there is nothing to be unduly worried about. I just hope we can expedite the process quickly, because this is a successful venture not only for Cork city and county but also for the country. When it is completed, Páirc Uí Chaoimh will be central to our application for the Rugby World Cup, along with the fact that it will offer an alternative venue choice for supporters of the GAA and other codes. More importantly, due to the foresight and stewardship of the Cork county board, the venue will also be of benefit to residents and the city generally.

In his speech, the Minister referred indirectly to the fact that it is not just about Cork but also about us as a country. It is about how we can ensure that our sporting facilities are developed to the best level, ensuring maximum attendance for a variety of codes. It is important that Páirc Uí Chaoimh is of benefit to everybody in Cork. The Cork county board must continue to liaise with local residents and residents' groups. I happened to be down at the marina last weekend and both stands have been demolished, leaving just a piece of the terrace and the pitch remaining. We look forward to seeing the Páirc Uí Chaoimh building project commence next year, so that by 2017 we can have our first Munster final there. Equally, Páirc Uí Chaoimh will be a central part of our 2023 Rugby World Cup bid. We must bring clarity and certainty to that endeavour. I thank the Minister and his officials for their work and stewardship in this regard, because this matter has been a source of worry for many people in Cork in recent weeks. I welcome the Minister's clarification.

Deputy Paschal Donohoe

I wish to make three points concerning the matters raised by the Deputy. First, I agree with him that this project is of importance not just to Cork city and county but also to the region. As he has identified, it does have an important national role in that, were our country to be successful in winning the bid for the 2023 Rugby World Cup, due to the agreement we have with the GAA, this would be an extremely important stadium for holding tournament matches.

Second, I want to convey my strong support for this project. I have outlined the different requirements that the Government had to meet in order to move this project forward. There was a requirement concerning the business case, and we also need to engage with the European Commission on this matter. This procedure takes place for large capital projects of any kind.

Third, the Deputy can be assured that my Department and I are giving this matter the fullest possible attention. We will continue to work actively with his colleagues in the Cork county board to ensure that this matter is dealt with speedily and to respond to the requirement of the European Commission for us to participate in the state aid process, which we will do.

As I said at the start, I fully acknowledge that this project is not only important to Cork city and county but also has broader benefits for our country. He can be assured of my support, as Minister, and that of the Government in dealing with this matter. We will keep the Deputy and other stakeholders informed.

Dental Services

Deputy Michael P. Kitt

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to raise this matter. I also wish to thank the Minister for Health for attending the House for this Topical Issue. I am concerned about the existing dental services in south Galway and particularly in the Gort area. Having spoken to the general public in that area, I know that it was a very good service in south Galway. It was always important for a dentist or a nurse to visit a primary school, and the more medical professionals that can call to schools the better. We have learned that prevention is the best cure and it is good for a young person to have a meeting with a dentist in a school setting. Teachers have told me that such visits have always focused on children in second and fifth class, but sadly this is not happening now. Many parents and teachers have asked me what happens when a child is in pain and needs fillings or sealants, and I wish to raise the issue of staffing in this regard. Another important point is whom one deals with when trying to get detailed information about dental services, particularly in south Galway.

What I am raising is relevant to any part of the country, but there was a good service in south Galway and there is a justifiable demand. Consequently, there is a need to restore that dental service. I hope that more resources can be allocated to the school dental service. It is an important issue in dealing with the alleviation of toothache and other dental problems for young people. If such visits and examinations are taking place in primary schools, eligible children could also be put on the list for orthodontic treatment. We are all aware of the support for young people's confidence and self-esteem provided by orthodontic treatment, including braces.

All branches of medicine remind us of the importance of early detection, which is crucial in fighting tooth decay. That is why the provision of these inspections and examinations in school are most important for children who may otherwise not get to see a dentist. If this service was affordable 50 years ago, surely it should be available today. We all know of the risks to heart and body associated with tooth infections, so oral hygiene and care are best learned in early life.

In Gort in the past, children were referred to a centre or the nearest hospital, which could be University Hospital Galway or Merlin Park Hospital in Galway, while children in east Galway were often referred to Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe. This service was much appreciated and I hope it will continue to be made available to young people.

Minister for Health (Deputy Leo Varadkar)

I want to thank Deputy Kitt for the opportunity to address the issue of the school dental service in Gort and south Galway. I am taking this debate on behalf of my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, who is in the Seanad at present.

Dental services for children up to 16 years of age and people of all ages with special needs are provided by the public dental service of the HSE through its dental clinics. These dental clinics provide a screening and fissure sealant programme for children at key stages of development, aged between six and eight and between 11 and 13. The service includes referral for further treatment, including orthodontic treatment where necessary. Emergency care for children up to 16 years of age and treatment for special needs patients are also provided.

A reduction in staff numbers since 2010 has led to a reduced service in all Galway schools. The HSE is aware of this difficulty and is currently taking steps to reverse it. There are particular challenges in recruiting staff to work in more remote rural areas but, nevertheless, a recruitment drive is now under way. It will take some time to fully realise the gain associated with the new staff, but the next school year, 2016-17, will see the benefits of this campaign.

In the meantime and for the current school year the objectives are to assess and treat sixth class children in all Galway schools; to assess the same schoolchildren for orthodontic need and refer, as necessary, to the local orthodontic service, to provide a dental service for patients with special needs, and to maintain an emergency dental service.

Prioritisation of the older age group does not mean younger children will not be screened. However, it is particularly important that children are referred for any necessary treatment before the age of 16 years as their eligibility for referral ends at that stage. Where extra capacity is available, it is being targeted at isolated schools. Given the additional challenges of providing an emergency service to isolated areas, such as Clifden and the Aran Islands, they are prioritised for preventative services where resources are available. This work also involves addressing a backlog of some children who had not been seen in sixth class.

To strengthen the service in County Galway, a programme of renovation of dental clinics and the provision of new developments is under way. The renovation of the dental clinic at Merlin Park in the east of Galway city is finished and the renovation of the dental clinic in Shantalla health centre is to be completed by the end of January. More clinics are also under consideration, including in Tuam, County Galway. I am confident these measures will result in improved services for all children in the area in due course.

Deputy Michael P. Kitt

I thank the Minister for his reply. He has said some positive things in the reply, especially in respect of assessing and treating sixth class children in all Galway schools. I understand that previously two classes in each school were prioritised and the children in those classes were prioritised for treatment. While I welcome what has been said in respect of Tuam and the services in Galway city, south Galway is still an issue. This is the reason I am raising the matter. We need a dental clinic providing services there.

There is also a need for information to be provided to the public on what is available. I cannot emphasise enough the importance of the school visit for cases requiring treatment and for those who need to be included on the orthodontic treatment list. There is a long waiting list for orthodontic treatment in Galway, particularly in south Galway.

It is unusual that we have orthodontic and dental treatment operating under two different sections of the HSE. The primary care sector deals with dental treatment while the hospital group - Saolta, in the case of Galway - deals with orthodontics. The practical problem is that when we have discussions with the primary care team in Galway, we can only talk about the particular issue of dental treatment. By the way, we are glad to be invited to such discussions. However, orthodontics is an issue we deal with through the hospital group. That could be looked at again.

I hope that the recruitment the Minister has referred to will improve the situation for the next school year. Moreover, I hope younger children will not be forgotten when the Minister puts a priority on sixth class children in all Galway schools. As we all know, prevention is the best way of dealing with tooth decay. The earlier we can intervene, the better. It is important that younger children are screened as well.

Deputy Leo Varadkar

I thank the Deputy for his comments and interest in this issue. More than 300 dentists - down from 312 at its peak - 500 nurses and 600 hygienists work in the salaried public dental service. The budget is a little more than €60 million. The Merlin Park clinic has been renovated and plans for Shantalla are under way. Consideration is being given to Tuam, Roscommon and Boyle as well.

Orthodontic referrals are received by the HSE through the dental services schools screening programme. Referrals are assessed for eligibility under the modified index of treatment need, IOTN. In the western area, patients receive treatment more promptly than in most parts of the country, with 27% receiving treatment in less than six months as against 19% nationally, and 24% receiving treatment in six to 12 months as against 19% nationally.

I have noted the Deputy's comments about the split between dental and orthodontic services. That may be related to the fact a certain amount of orthodontic work has to go to surgery and, therefore, to the hospitals. It is something I had not heard of as a difficulty before. I will check it out.

Flood Prevention Measures

Deputy Finian McGrath

I thank the Acting Chairman for the opportunity to raise with the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the urgent need to address the concerns regarding the wall height at the proposed flood defence project between the Wooden Bridge and Causeway Road in Dublin 3.

Last Wednesday night at 7.30 p.m. in Clontarf Castle hotel, more than 600 people attended a public meeting on the proposed wall planned for near St. Anne's Park and overlooking Dublin Bay. The high turnout highlighted the anger over any attempt to damage a public amenity. I called the meeting to hear the views on the proposed flood defence wall. There was never any agreement with local residents, local businesses or the joint working groups on the wall height, which is why there are major concerns. The project was originally billed as a cycleway and assurances were given for a minor wall. I am opposed to the current wall and its design. It destroys a major public amenity and damages the scenic view of Dublin Bay and Bull Island.

Dublin Bay is protected by nine special areas of conservation. Why is there no aesthetic finish to this wall? Thousands of people enjoy this environment each day. Why would anyone want to damage such scenic beauty? It seems to be a continuous battle to get Dublin City Council to realise the importance of Dublin Bay. There seems to be a cultural view that concrete is the answer to everything. Dublin City Council has a record of some bad decisions as a result of not listening to the people. Is Dublin City Council concerned about its future working relationship with the joint working group or in respect of progressing flood defence work on this and future promenade projects? A commitment was given by senior engineers that the wall would be no higher than the stone wall leading to the Wooden Bridge. Why was this commitment not adhered to? The local independent councillor, Damian O'Farrell, had motions agreed by Dublin City Council that called on the council to preserve the amenity and protect the environment in any future flood defence plan. Why was this ignored?

I have worked on Dublin Bay matters previously over the duration of my political career. I was honoured to be endorsed by the late great Seán Dublin Bay Loftus. That tradition goes on. I am well aware of the position Dublin Bay and Bull Island hold in our community. Either one or the other is designated as a UNESCO biosphere, a nature reserve, a special protection area under the EU birds directive or a special area of conservation. I will be damned if I let anything happen to this local and national amenity.

Another important aspect relates to how no consideration was given to the wheelchair-bound population, although both the Irish Wheelchair Association and the Central Remedial Clinic are based in Clontarf. At our meeting on Wednesday night, a young wheelchair-bound man made a poignant remark to the effect that while the able-bodied might have some chance of seeing over the wall, no consideration was given to wheelchair users who would never have that ability.

The day after our public meeting I attended a meeting in City Hall with the city manager, officials, engineers and councillors. Councillor Damian O'Farrell and I put the views of the local residents on the wall and Dublin Bay. Councillor O'Farrell succeeded in getting a special city council meeting tomorrow at 6.15 p.m. All I ask is for the Minister, the city manager and senior officials to listen to the views of the local residents and have sensible flood defence measures that protect local people but also enhance beautiful Dublin Bay.

Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Tom Hayes)

I thank the Deputy for raising the issue and for giving me the opportunity, on behalf of the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Alan Kelly, to outline the position regarding Dollymount promenade and the associated flood protection project.

As the Deputy will be aware, under section 30 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 the Minister, Deputy Kelly, is specifically precluded from exercising any power or control in respect of any planning case under consideration by any planning authority, including An Bord Pleanála.

The management of the Dollymount promenade and the associated flood protection project is a matter for the relevant planning authority, which is Dublin City Council in this instance, and the Minister has no function or remit in this regard.

From inquiries made with Dublin City Council, I understand that this project, comprising a promenade and cycleway proposal as well as flood alleviation works to address higher tides and sea levels, was originally approved by An Bord Pleanála in 2011 under section 226 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, relating to foreshore developments. The environmental impact of the project was comprehensively assessed as part of this process. Dublin City Council subsequently made some alterations to the promenade and cycleway aspects of its proposals which were progressed under the Part VIII requirements of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended, relating to local authority developments.

The Part VIII process for local authority development works involves extensive public notice, public consultation, including with prescribed bodies, and the public display of plans and other documentation, with the proposed development ultimately being subject to the will of the elected members of the local authority concerned. As required under the Part VIII provisions, the revised proposals for the Dollymount promenade and flood protection project was the subject of extensive public consultation with the local community generally and with local community groups. The National Parks and Wildlife Service was also consulted on the preparation of the proposal and habitat screening. Planning approval for the revised proposals was granted by Dublin City Council in May 2013.

I understand that the specific works proposed under the project include sea wall repairs and the insertion of a flood defence wall up to a maximum height of 4.25 m, which the council has indicated is the minimum recommended to protect this area of coastline. The council has advised that these flood defence works will mean that 30% of the existing sea wall will remain at its current high level, 10% will be raised by between 1 and 8 inches, a further 32% will be raised by 8 inches to 1 ft. 4 in., with the remaining 28% raise in height by between 1 ft. 4 in. to 2 ft. 3 in., which will be the maximum height increase on any part of the flood defence wall.

The proposed works are being undertaken against the background of the need to address the realities associated with adaptation to climate change and the putting in place of necessary flood risk management measures to address this phenomenon. There are many areas of the country, including cities and towns, which are at risk from periodic flooding, and Dollymount promenade is seen to be particularly at risk as a result of rising tides and increasing sea levels.

Acting Chairman (Deputy Olivia Mitchell)

The Minister of State can come back to the rest of his reply.

Deputy Jonathan O'Brien

There are only two lines left.

Acting Chairman (Deputy Olivia Mitchell)

Okay.

Deputy Tom Hayes

The works on the Dollymount promenade project have commenced. By their nature such works will, though kept to a minimum, create some disruption in the area while ongoing. However, the council considers that when complete, these works will have significant benefits in the context of improved cycling and walking amenities and protection against flood risks in the area.

Deputy Finian McGrath

I thank the Minister of State for his response, but I disagree with him and Dublin City Council on this project. The name of the project was very misleading. It was called the Sutton to Sandycove scheme, which received approval in 2013 in an interim works project. It comprised elements of two schemes, one of which was the Dollymount promenade and flood protection project which received An Bord Pleanála approval in 2011. The Minister of State should also note that the conditions of that approval still apply to this interim project as far as flood defences go.

Condition No. 5 clearly states that an environmental and liaison committee shall be established with the local community representatives. It would appear that this has not happened and Dublin City Council may be in breach of An Bord Pleanála planning conditions. If this is the case, this is a very serious matter. I call on the city manager, Mr. Keegan, to make a statement on this matter. At a recent information meeting with councillors, Dublin City Council admitted that it was its intention to build the sea wall in question higher than the 4.25 m permission granted in Part VIII of the approval in 2013.

The other issue is that, as I said, it was called the S2S Cycleway & Footway Interim Works: Bull Road to Causeway Road. There was no mention of the term "flood" in the title. Section 371 on page 11 deals with flood defence measures, but the most important section is section 48 on page 25 which refers to the wall and states that it will be only slightly higher than the level of the footpath. The page also contains a drawing. Dublin City Council has refused to meet residents and local groups and also gave a very misleading report. The people of the northside are very angry about this wall. We support the cycleway and want anti-flood measures but we want them to be decently done and to ensure that they do not destroy our lovely bay.

Deputy Tom Hayes

There is obviously a lot of common ground in the Deputy's response to my reply. The reality is that the Minister does not have any part to play in this. Flooding was a real problem in Clonmel and Carrick-on-Suir. The residents were very concerned when the project was being carried out, but when it was finished the effect it had on the area was unbelievable. I do not know anything about the area to which the Deputy refers, but I would advise the residents that some misleading information can be given out by people and there can be some misunderstanding of the value and benefit of the project. There is a role for Dublin City Council in terms of better explanation to people of what is happening and the long-term benefits of the project. I will relate the concerns of the Deputy to the Minister.

Labour Activation Measures

Deputy Jonathan O'Brien

The JobPath programme is one of the labour activation measures initiated by the Department of Social Protection. The Minister of State may be aware that the programme outsourced labour activation measures to private companies. There was a tendering process during which a number of companies bid. In the end, two companies were selected to run labour activation measures on behalf of the Department.

I understand almost €7 million was spent on branding and publicising Intreo offices. Those who engaged with the offices were assigned case workers who worked with them in trying to secure employment or upskilling. The problem with the private companies operating the labour activation measures set up by the Department is that they are paid by results.

The reality on the ground - this is not hearsay and the evidence will bear this out - is that many of the people who are directed into those private companies - Seetec Limited and Turas Nua Limited - are being advised of things which I think are unethical. For example, I know of one young lady who was advised to leave her qualifications off her CV because they indicated she would be overqualified for many of the jobs in which they were trying to place her. Many individuals are being forced into low-paid jobs because it is done on a commission basis and the private companies are only paid if they are successful in placing somebody in employment. What is happening is that people are being directed into low-paid jobs with no job security. As a result, people are being recycled. They are getting a low-paid job and are being let go. They go back in again to the private companies and are again placed in another low-paid job and it is a continuous circle.

I am sure all Deputies received the e-mail from a young lady who wrote a letter of complaint to the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Joan Burton, in respect of her experience with one of these companies, Seetec Limited. It should be pointed out that Seetec Limited was under investigation in England for abuse of powers in respect of disabled people and how they were being treated in regard to labour activation measures. That this company is running labour activation measures on behalf of the Department raises questions all on its own. Some of the advice this individual got from a person in the private company was that she should leave her education qualifications off her CV, that she should not bother to get a full driving licence because one can drive around on a provisional licence, which is not the case, and not to go on to a community employment scheme because that scheme is being abused by people who do not wish to find real employment. In her e-mail she said she felt put down, disrespected, belittled and bullied by the individual who was dealing with her who had no regard for what she wanted which was to try to secure sustainable employment. The JobPath scheme is a failure and is just a profit-making exercise for private companies. We have privatised a public service.

Deputy Tom Hayes

I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue and giving us an opportunity to discuss some of the issues he has raised. JobPath is a new approach to employment activation that will support people who are long-term unemployed and those most at risk of becoming long-term unemployed to secure and sustain paid employment. Following the completion of a rigorous public procurement process, two companies were selected to provide the JobPath service, Turas Nua Limited and Seetec Limited. The companies will deliver services directly and will also engage a range of local subcontractors, including local training and employment service providers. In delivering these services the contractors will be supplementing and complementing the work of the Department's existing in-house case officers and the work of the mediators of the local employment services. JobPath will not replace or substitute for these services. It will provide additional capacity to extend case-managed activation to people who are long-term unemployed.

JobPath has been designed having regard to international experience of contracted employment services. Significant safeguards have been built into JobPath. These include a service guarantee to ensure all participants receive a baseline level of service as well as payment penalties for the companies if service performance or service quality do not meet standards.

Participants on JobPath will receive intensive individual support to help them address barriers to employment and to assist them in finding jobs. Each person is assigned to a personal adviser who will assess a person's skills, experience, challenges and work goals. A personal progression plan will be drawn up that will include a schedule of activities, actions and job-focused targets. Participants are also provided with a range of training and development supports, including online modules, career advice, CV preparation and interview skills. They will spend a year on the programme and if they are placed in a job, they may continue to receive support from the JobPath contractor for the first year of employment. During their term on JobPath they may also be referred for further education and training opportunities. Jobseekers retain their existing social welfare payments while on JobPath.

An important feature of JobPath is that it is a payment by results contract. Contractors are paid if and when they place clients into sustained employment. In this regard employment is defined as work of at least 30 hours per week lasting for at least 13 weeks. Contractors are paid a fee, in arrears, for each 13-week period of employment up to a maximum of four payments or one year's work. This payment approach incentivises the contractors not just to find work for people but to strive to ensure the work is full time and sustained.

Acting Chairman (Deputy Olivia Mitchell)

I will stop the Minister of State and he may come back to the rest of his reply. I call Deputy Jonathan O'Brien.

Deputy Jonathan O'Brien

The Minister of State listed what the individuals in these companies are supposed to do, namely, formulate a personal progression plan that helps a person to find a job, assess their personal skills, experiences, challenges and work goals, and give them help with career advice, CV preparation and interview skills. I put it to the Minister of State that is not what is happening within these companies. The details of a case have been e-mailed to every Deputy in this House. It outlines one young lady's interaction with Seetec Limited where she was told to leave her qualifications off her CV. That is not helping her with her CV. That is not assessing her career skills. It is the complete opposite.

The reality is that because it is a pay by results system, we are finding that many of those engaging with these companies are being forced into low-pay, zero-hour contract jobs. They are not getting sustainable employment. Many of them will stay in employment for a number of weeks, but after 13 weeks that company gets paid. After 13 weeks and one day, if that individual loses that job, that company will still be paid. It is a private company which in my opinion is doing the job the Intreo offices and the education and developmental intervention services, EDIS, were doing on the first day. We spent a good deal of public money on establishing the Intreo offices. We took a thousand people from that system and we are now directing them into private companies that are only interested in profit and not giving people sustainable employment. They are being forced to take up no-contract, zero-hour jobs.

Deputy Tom Hayes

It is important not to generalise. Some people will find work and do very well on a scheme like that. One cannot generalise and say people will not get jobs from these schemes. Some will do well and get into a good career.

Deputy Jonathan O'Brien

Not with the type of jobs I am talking about.

Deputy Tom Hayes

To clarify, both companies will be subject to regular on-site inspections and audits to ensure JobPath is delivered in accordance with contractual obligations. In addition, the Department will commission customer satisfaction surveys to assess independently whether customers referred to JobPath are satisfied with the level and quality of the services delivered by the contractors. It is important with respect to the Deputy's points about assurance because they will be audited and monitored. Failure by the contractors to satisfy the Department inspectors or achieve a satisfactory score in an independent survey will result in payment penalties being applied, so there is a measure to ensure the bodies must live up to this programme. I know one of the companies in Roscrea involved with this and it has a very good track record. I take the points made by the Deputy and I will relate them to the Minister. I thank him for raising the issue because a scheme like this will always run into some difficulties.