Mr. Paul Delaney:

Deputy Fleming has raised an interesting issue that is even broader than the issue of FÁS. It relates to having an integrated plan for offenders. We approach this with a case management plan. In other words, we try to avoid exactly what Deputy Fleming has just referred to, that is, where a person is all at sea or bounced around. The change outcome and indicator mapping, COAIM, system we use ensures that if we identify training as a need for a particular offender, then we are able to do the advocacy for them and we are able to take FÁS on board. In fairness, it has worked rather well. A representative from FÁS sits on our steering committee and FÁS is used to working with offenders. However, we must approach this in a case management way. I agree entirely with Deputy Fleming. To ask offenders, especially homeless dysfunctional offenders, to do such work themselves invariably leads to failure. Our COAIM system is predicated on having a plan. We refer to it as a change plan rather than a care plan; there is a slightly different emphasis. However, if one has a plan then the people who sit on our steering committee are committed to doing their part. We need not reinvent the wheel. If an organisation is responsible for housing, then that is what it does. If an organisation is responsible for finance issues, such as MABS, that is the role it plays. If an organisation is responsible for training and employment, then that is the role it plays as well. We act as the bridge between these groups. The case management approach is something that should be rolled out nationally because otherwise people will be left at sea and we have seen where that leads.