Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We will do that. There will always be issues and problems arising. Some of the problems relate to communications and interactions between jobseekers and the people interviewing them. I would encourage Members and others to pass their complaints on to the Department, which will take them seriously. This is a big change. For the first time in a long time, if ever, the Government is offering those who are long-term unemployed a job rather than just participation in a scheme or training. This is a big change for people, but I am convinced it is the right thing to do.

With regard to the JobBridge audit, it is important to point out that this was an internal audit carried out by the Department. In terms of how the audit cycle works, auditors raise queries and then the person being audited responds to those queries. What probably did not come across in the media reports is that the auditors were happy with the responses to their queries. The auditors carried out the audit and raised their concerns, the Department responded and the auditors were happy with the response but I do not think that came across in the media in the way it should have.

In regard to the clothing allowance, it is still possible to get those funds under the exceptional needs payment. I recall that during my time as a general practitioner I often had to sign forms for people in respect of claims for the clothing allowance. I believe that system has since been abolished. That scheme, rather than being evidence-based, was based on the idea that a person needed additional clothing for a medical or health care reason, as opposed to a medical garment, which is a different thing entirely. People who need clothing as an exceptional need can get an exceptional needs payment from their community welfare officer for that purpose.

On the issue of bogus self-employed people, I will have to come back to the Senator on that. I agree that revenue is probably lost to the Social Insurance Fund in that regard. In addition, people are losing out on their protections. Construction, in particular, is one of the areas in which this is an issue. On standard bank accounts, which is more a matter for the Department of Finance than the Department of Social Protection, I understand that from this month banks are required by regulation to provide standard bank accounts. I expect to see those products appear on the market very soon. My Department is working with An Post in regard to its product. Having a standard bank account is important in terms of financial inclusion.

On future-proofing of pensions, given the enormous scope of the pensions issue, I think we need a dedicated session on it following the budget. My focus up until last week was on paternity benefit. It is now on the budget, the self-employed and the social welfare Bill. Pensions will form a huge part of the Department's work programme in 2017, alongside the working family payment. It would be useful for the committee to hold additional sessions on that issue.

On the assessment of the financial impact of the lone parent reforms, I agree there is a need for such an assessment, and my Department will resource it. The advice I have been given is that it is necessary to allow a little time for the impact of the changes to become evident. While in some cases the impact might be a reduction in welfare payments, the increase in the amount of work and the number of people moving on to FIS is slower. I agree with the Senator that we should do an assessment of the impact of the reforms.

Policy on direct provision is the responsibility of the Minister for Justice and Equality. The child rate was increased this year from €9.60 to €15.60. Further increases in this regard can be examined in the context of the budget. On the issue of joint payment of jobseeker's payments and family income supplement, I am not too sure how that would work. I know that some recipients of jobseeker's payments are not also eligible for FIS.