Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome our guests and will now advise them on privilege.

I draw their attention to the fact that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. They are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and they are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

The opening statements submitted to this committee will be published on the committee website after this meeting. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I would like to inform our guests and the people in the Gallery that the broadcasting and recording services have asked them to ensure their mobile phones are turned off completely or switched to airplane, safe or flight mode, depending on their devices, for the duration of the meeting.

Today, we are looking at the operation and impact of the JobBridge and Youth Guarantee initiatives. The joint committee has discussed approaches to labour market activation, including the Pathways to Work strategies, the latest of which was adopted earlier this year, on many occasions. Today, we have an opportunity to get an update on JobBridge and the Youth Guarantee, which are two important measures in this regard. I am pleased to welcome the officials who are present to assist the committee: Mr. James Doorley and Mr. Ian Power of the National Youth Council of Ireland, Ms Nuala Whelan and Mr. Mick Creedon of the Ballymun Jobs Centre and Mr. Terry Corcoran and Mr. Paul Carroll of the Department of Social Protection. I invite Mr. Power to commence our discussion by making a presentation on behalf of the National Youth Council of Ireland.