Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will move my bag further away just in case. I would like to ask two questions about these schemes, which are minimising unemployment. One of the officials said that the training grant has been increased by €1.3 million since last year's budget. Is that correct? What feedback has the Department received from the groups on that? How do they find it? When it was broken down across the groups, did they find it adequate? What options do individuals have when they come off these schemes after three years? It has been pointed out that they might have an option of a fourth year in some cases. People have to come to see me to tell me they suddenly needed anti-depressants because they had withdrawal symptoms when their schemes ran out. I would like to hear what the officials have to say about that. At the end of the day, this represents good financial value, based on the outputs and the added value to communities. How would it make sense to cut it back? I would appreciate the thoughts of the officials.