Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Just before the previous Government left office, Deputy Ó Cuív introduced a scheme that was quite similar to JobBridge. There were screams of disapproval from the Labour benches at the time as a result of the way that scheme was introduced. Essentially, they voiced their disapproval on the basis that individuals who were unemployed would not be given a choice with regard to participating on the scheme. I do not understand that transformation which has occurred. While the Labour Party may have objected to the scheme to which I refer, it is now introducing something even more draconian in the form of Gateway.

The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government has launched an initiative in respect of workforce planning in the area of local government. It is clear that some local authorities have staffing complements which are extremely disproportionate in size to the populations to which they are obliged to provide services. Some of the workforce planning to which I refer is happening at present, which indicates that there are real jobs available. If people are be asked to participate on a scheme such as Gateway, then there should be a possibility of progression. In addition, they should be given a choice as to whether they want to take up a place on a labour activation scheme rather than being stigmatised if they do not sign up. What is at issue here is the fact that people are being placed for being unemployed, while those who are long-term unemployed are being singled out, told that they need to be taught how to get out of bed each morning or informed that they have become lazy from sitting in front of their plasma screen TVs. All of these individuals are essentially being informed that if they do not participate, their welfare payments will be cut. That misses the point completely. People want jobs and they do not need to be demeaned any further when they are already feeling quite vulnerable with regard to the lack of opportunities available to them. What is being done in this instance is disgraceful.

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