Mr. Jerry Murphy:

I welcome the Deputy's comments on Tús. We share her sentiments in that regard. Several of the programmes operating within local communities that have a dual aspect in assisting people into jobs and in offering significant local community services are particularly important. Pobal plays a particularly important role in so far as we have a role in several such programmes. We are involved with Tús, the rural social scheme, RSS, the social inclusion and community activation programme, SICAP, and the community services programme, CSP, and we do our best to ensure co-ordination in that regard.

Unfortunately, we are not party to JobPath, which is directly contracted by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, although we have many links in that regard. The Deputy's representation via the Taoiseach is the most important route but we can channel that these concerns exist. We also have heard these concerns and it is very important for the Government as a whole to carry out that co-ordination role and we will do what we can to ensure those messages are clearly passed through.