Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for their attendance and opening statement. I do not have too many questions as the presentation more or less speaks for itself. I note Mr. Bowe's emphasis on flexibility rather than what is proving to be an extremely rigid pay by results system. I compliment the ILDN on its excellent work and look forward to the Indecon report which I am sure will vindicate that.

At a time of very high unemployment, the Government decided to hand over part of the work of the ILDN to a private company. We were told at the previous meeting that the figures at the time were such that that was absolutely necessary in order to deal with a crisis situation. Does Mr. Bowe agree with that? Could the ILDN have dealt with the situation effectively? I presume it would have needed more staff to do so.

I note what was said about averages and that the ILDN is focused on areas of high unemployment, of which there are several in my own city. Is the ILDN now properly equipped to do the work it was originally contracted for? Does it need assistance from any other source?