Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I concur with the Chairman's request that the committee have an input in the process because it is very important that we do so. We have already made a case in respect of services of general interest. One of the issues was outcomes, specifically educational outcomes. The Minister outlined how it may take people five or six years to move through a service. Let us say there is a two-year or three-year contract. Is the Minister considering what the outcomes will be? If somebody moves through a local employment service and then starts a three-year degree, that will not translate into employment within the period of a particular contract. However, it must be recognised as an outcome. That is what I was saying about the measurement of outcomes. There is a long-term goal but, as the Minister has acknowledged, sometimes people are very distant or have an ambition to travel a great distance.