Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

That is fair enough. I thank Mr. McKeon for his presentation and I thank the INOU for the survey - albeit based on a small sample - which it carried out. Reference was made to the growth in employment, which I welcome, but there has not been a commensurate growth in the totality of the amount paid out in wages. Despite the fact that there has been a 5% reduction in unemployment, there has only been a tiny fraction of an increase in wages. Are our guests in a position to explain the reason for this? Is it because some of those who have come off the live register are now employed in jobs that are quite low paid, or whatever?

It was stated that the number of complaints is tiny when compared to the overall picture. However, the survey was quite small in nature. I have received quite a few complaints and they all seem to centre on one thing, namely, attempts to fit square pegs into round holes. I refer here to people being referred for either jobs or courses which are totally inappropriate to their skill sets. If they do not take up such jobs or courses, they are under threat of being penalised. In the past hour I received another complaint by text. Another matter which has come to my attention is that certain case officers seem to be programmed in such a way that they are discouraging people from pursuing opportunities for further education. They appear to be of the view that if there is a menial job available, then a person should not waste the State's time by returning to education. I am not saying that all case officers have adopted this attitude but there is no doubt that a number have certainly have done so.

I note the intention to increase the number of places available on JobsPlus. How many additional places will be allocated this year, and has the money necessary to facilitate this been provided? Will our guests also provide an update on the position with regard to the youth guarantee scheme? There is a very interesting proposal to issue performance statistics for each Intreo office. When will such statistics be issued? I am of the view that this would be a very useful exercise.

On the recommendations from the INOU, I am particularly interested in those which involve matching people to appropriate courses or job opportunities. The restructuring of the group engagement mechanism is important, as is the idea that case officers should become involved in networking among themselves. The latter could be done by holding regular meetings, perhaps once a month.