Kathryn Reilly (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank both of our guests for attending and for their presentations. Ms O'Connor referred to women's participation in decision making. If there was a scoreboard in this regard, what position would Ireland hold on it? What indicators could be used to best monitor this? Ms O'Connor also referred to gender disaggregation of indicators and provided some examples. Are there any more specific indicators which are urgently required in order to track development in this area?

Mr. Doorley spoke about engagement at member state level. He referred to the role social actors should play in terms of such engagement and stated that they should have an input into country-specific recommendations and corrective plans. My question relates to the funding for the youth employment initiative - which is coming from Structural Funds - and macroeconomic conditionality. That latter is being attached to EU Structural Funds for the next budgeting period. The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform is on record as stating that "Macroeconomic conditionality or measures linked to sound economic governance will ensure that Cohesion Policy is consistent with wider EU economic governance".

If countries are found to be in breach of some of their obligations and they fail to take effective action on economic recommendations repeatedly, payments may be suspended. Would Mr. Doorley have concerns that the youth employment initiative might be affected perhaps not in Ireland, but in other member states? It was mentioned that if that happened or there were small breaches of the macroeconomic conditionality, there would have to be dialogue and it would be up to member states to make changes to partnership agreements, but would Mr. Doorley have a fear that it could affect the youth guarantee? A reply to a parliamentary question stated that it would be up to a member state to review and propose amendments to partnership agreements. Would Mr. Dooley's organisation feed into the Oireachtas or the Ministers to ensure that youth guarantee or youth employment funding is not affected by any potential imbalances?