Mr. John Farrell:

I wish to make a couple of points regarding Deputy Kyne's questions on the impact of social indicators and what failure may mean. The open method of co-ordination is very useful in trying to achieve best practice. Clearly, if social policy is going to be integral to the European project, then something stronger is required. That is something that might usefully be considered.

Without question, the youth guarantee is very welcome at a European level and, within that, at an Irish level. In an Irish context, one would like to see, as I am sure everybody would, the youth guarantee effectively resourced, particularly as people under 26 have been adversely affected for a number of years. What strikes me, in the context of social cohesion and social solidarity, is that an unemployed 24-year-old who does not live at home or have dependent children might receive €100 while a person who is 25, who is not part of the youth guarantee as it currently stands, will receive €144. Those people may well feel that social solidarity has been undermined.

I agree with Senator Hayden's remarks on the significant differences in social welfare regimes. One of the things we would like to see is ambitious European targets that are not about bringing standards or levels of social protection down. That should be key, not just in Ireland but right across Europe.