Ms Bríd O'Brien:

In terms of welfare to work and the hours-based system, currently the system is structured so that if a person works 21 hours in three days, he or she can sign on for the other days. If, however, the 21 hours are spread over five days, he or she cannot do so. We are conscious of people who have been offered part-time work that would get them back into the labour market and help to build up connections, which is critical, but if they take up the option, they will experience a significant loss of income. The system must design itself for the labour market that now exists rather than the labour market that existed in the past. The hours-based approach instead of the day-based approach is a way to address that and would facilitate people to take up work. It is in the State's interest to do so.