Mr. John McKeon:

Qualified adults are a group at which we will look in the coming year or two. What I have always said - this is something that is not well known, for which the Department might perhaps be criticised - is that it is always an option for qualified adults to split their claim with their partners and become a claimant in their own right, in which case they would have full access to all services. It is an option for any jobseeker, regardless of his or her status, to walk into an Intreo centre where he or she will be met by a case officer who will work with him or her. A good number of the available supports and services are available to everybody, regardless of status, including access to training courses. Our approach has always been that those who engage on a voluntary basis are not denied a service. We are speaking about trying to be more proactive in the next two years, as opposed to being reactive in services being available when sought. We have been proactive with people with disabilities. I do not have the figures with me, but a good number of people receive a wage subsidy, which is more than €10,000 year. A good number of people also receive workplace adaptation grants, which are significant. We fund an employability service with specialist providers. Our colleagues in the further education sector provide an entire suite of specialist training courses. The feedback we received during the consultation process was that all of these services were available, but all people here want us to speak about are jobseekers. In terms of being proactive, it is a parity of esteem rather than a service issue.