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

I do not want to want to cross over into that area now. Could the witnesses give an up-to-date figure for participants on the Gateway scheme and how close the Department is to the target of 3,000 formerly unemployed people working with the local authorities? In respect of the Gateway scheme, there are people who want to work and those who do not want to work. That is a harsh reality. A scheme such as this is ideal for the numerous people who cannot find work and want to work. I know they are required to be unemployed for two years, and 20% of places are kept for people who refer themselves. I am anxious to see people who have been unemployed for three or six months and would love to refer themselves to the local authority get work experience there. The local authorities have the wherewithal to manage these people who want to contribute. The Department should do a little more for those within the 20%. I appreciate that it is dealing with the long-term unemployed to make them a priority, but would it consider relaxing the criteria for the 20% who refer themselves to allow people who have been unemployed for six months get onto the scheme? It would be in the interests of the local authorities and of the people who want to get the work.

What penalties does the Department impose on people who are invited onto the Gateway scheme, which is compulsory, if they refuse to cooperate? Have there been sanctions affecting payments for many people, or have they been disqualified from receiving their payments for a period of time or indefinitely? I know that the early trend showed a significant number who gave up their payments when they were called for Gateway. We all know that people operate in the black market, or have jobs and claim social welfare. Does the Department have any figures for those who volunteer to give up their payments when called on to the Gateway scheme?