Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the delegates for their excellent and clear answers to questions. They spoke more eloquently than I about extending the jobseeker's transition payment and addressing anomalies in order that people would be given real options in making good choices. Something that crops up repeatedly is a request that people can access good quality employment and avail of back-to-education schemes.

It is also important that people do not have the threat of sanction hanging over them and that care be recognised. These are all important matters to bear in mind in our work across the social protection system.

I am struck by the fact that children are developing fast. While we might say something will be considered in two or three years' time - we are all familiar with things being kicked down the road - developmentally those two or three years might be the key years for a next generation. I concur that this is more important than tax cuts or even some of the tax reliefs we provide. In areas such as private pensions, for example, we might seek to redirect the reliefs to providing security for people of all ages in the State.