Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister and her officials. I want to put on record my appreciation for the work, dedication and professionalism of the Department and its officials, given I and my office are in contact with the Department multiple times every day. I welcome the changes that have been made in that there is a good fit between employment affairs and social protection. I note the Minister in her opening address said 30 new staff have just moved over. In regard to the reforms necessary to establish this new Department, how far have those progressed or have they concluded? Is there a timescale for that work to be finished?

I welcome the improvements in the back to school clothing and footwear allowance and the introduction of the fuel allowance bulk payments. With regard to paternity benefit, which was also introduced by this Government and which I welcome, what are the Department and its officials doing to try to drive take-up? We need to get the message out that this payment is available. I have tried to publicise it locally in Clare and I am sure the Department has some sort of public relations campaign. However, we need to get the message out as I believe the take-up could be a lot greater.

Senator Butler referred to the Christmas bonus. I agree that the reintroduction of a 100% Christmas bonus would be very welcome. It has obvious benefits for the recipients and the economy and would give a huge boost to people who really need it at that time of year. I agree with Senator Butler on that.

I also echo the Senator's sentiments in regard to the self-employed. I recognise the improvements that have been made and urge that further improvements would be made to improve the lot of the self-employed. I will not go over the other points that have been made.