John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

On managing reduction in an orderly way, if the duration of Tús was extended, one might not be managing a reduction. There may be other ways of trying to look at the issue. That feeds back into the societal and community benefit of the schemes. If one looked at it purely in terms of a cost-benefit analysis, the reduction in that scheme might not be warranted. That is a question that needs to be asked. I know there are problems with the use of the term "full employment", but as we approach full employment, it does not mean that reducing the size of some of those schemes is the correct decision. Their structures may need to be changed or the duration may need to be longer. When Tús was introduced in 2011 unemployment was going through the roof and a one-year turnaround was aimed at getting people back into work. Over the years, all those schemes have been modified and varied to reflect the economic situation of the day. The example was given about Tús being resized or whatever. Maybe it should not be resized but instead remodelled to meet a different need. That is an observation to a comment that does not require an answer but we need to reflect this.

I do not think the members have any further questions, but if Mr. Bowe or his colleagues have any concluding remarks, they may make them now.