Mr. Jim Lynch:

It is definitely not a form of penalty. I can honestly say that we do not have any input into the selection process. It is a computerised random selection. I can guarantee the Deputy, with respect to anybody who is selected for JobPath, that we do not say we will select people listed one, two and three and that we will not select those listed four and five. Those selected come through the computerised process. We have a very clear and transparent process, but it is a random computerised process, if that makes sense.

There are may benefits from JobPath from the point of view, as Ms Stack said, of the number of people who can get work after it. As I said, the JobPath provider or adviser forms a process of where the person will be at the end of the year. Sometimes the person gets there after three months, six months or nine months, and when they get to the end of the process, the best outcome for the person might be to go to a community employment scheme but it might have been that the journey involved the six or nine months it took to get there.

It could be argued that somebody should be able voluntarily to come off JobPath if he or she wants to do so, but there is a significant investment from the JobPath provider and in the training and the engaging process. To give that process the best opportunity to work , we would say that it requires a person to be in the process for a year. The Deputy and I would probably differ on that point. I think I have covered all the aspects raised. I want to be definite on this point. It is a random computerised selection at the end of the week.