Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the JobsPlus initiative announcement made on Monday. Why is it limited to 2,500 places over three years? Indications suggest the level of demand will be much greater than 2,500 places, based on the number of emails I have received since it was launched. Is there scope to increase the numbers if the scheme is demand-led?

I understand we are bringing somebody in to talk about Jobstart. We have to move away from using titles such as Jobstart, JobBridge and JobsPlus. It is enough to confuse anybody. The Department should review some of the titles used because they are not attractive and do not do what it says on the tin.

In respect of the Jobstart scheme, I strongly believe we have to look beyond giving €20 as an additional payment. If we are to ask people to go out and do the work that needs to be done on roads and help councils, I honestly think it is insulting to give them €20 in addition to the payment they are already receiving. I would not blame anybody for not being incentivised to take it. I appeal to the Minister and her officials to bring this point back to the Department. If they are serious about the scheme, they could even reduce the numbers involved, but they have to provide a decent incentive. I would prefer to see them being given €100 in order that those who want to work can be genuinely rewarded, even if the numbers are reduced as a result. Paying the sum of €20 is tokenism and will destroy the scheme before it even gets off the ground. It is a great idea and a great initiative.