Ms Deirdre McCarthy:

One of the criticisms that emerge across the board is that creaming can occur. Private sector firms deal with the low hanging fruit, in other words, those closest to the labour market. Under the earlier schemes, more money was provided in respect of those who were further away from the labour market in acknowledgement of the fact that such individuals required additional supports. The private companies have clearly worked out a ratio for the level of support per euro, but they were still more expensive. They worked with those closest to employment. For example, the aforementioned Trinity graduates are likely to secure employment and thus the company is more likely to receive the fee.