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

Before we begin, it would be appreciated if mobile phones were turned off or put in flight mode. This meeting has been convened to consider the Revised Estimate for Vote 37 - Employment Affairs and Social Protection, as referred by the Dáil to the select committee with an instruction to report back to the Dáil. I welcome the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Deputy Regina Doherty, and her officials to the meeting and thank them for the briefing material, which has been circulated to committee members. I propose that the Minister will make an opening statement and members will then be afforded an opportunity to ask questions.