Mr. Seán Ó Foghlú:

I suppose we are seeking as a government to have a certain level of outsourcing of work, where appropriate. We have had difficulties and challenges in making staffing resources available. We are all in a declining ECF environment. In this regard, I include ourselves and FÁS. That was one of the reasons, in particular, for the delay in putting the necessary co-ordination arrangements in place for SR Technics. We ended up putting a contact point in place for both FÁS and the Department of Social Protection in relation to SR Technics. We have learned from that and we will be having a FÁS co-ordination unit for any further case.

We found the involvement of a private company very helpful. We tendered for the assistance of a private company. We had to go through two tenders in respect of SR Technics to come up with somebody. The advantage of having a private company is that the EGF can be sporadic. We had the cases of three companies and the construction sector very much in quick succession, then a bit of a break and then TalkTalk. It is more difficult and challenging to assign FÁS and departmental staff at short notice when an urgent matter arises. If there is a contract, it is easier not to have to pay unless there is a need. When a need arises, we can draw down the assistance. We have found that very helpful.