Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I do not subscribe to Deputy Brady's view that current practices are discriminatory. I have said many times that there are plenty of options for anybody aged under 25 to receive the full payment through training, employment opportunities, community employment, CE, or the youth employment support scheme. There is a wide variety of opportunities. I must correct the Deputy's probable misunderstanding, as 1,780 people aged 25 will be affected by the changes we are making this year. On top of that, 380 people aged under 25 will be positively affected because of the changes. Those are not the numbers mentioned by the Deputies.

Having said that, I am quite happy to accept the amendment as I find myself in the unfortunate position of only being able to answer his questions in the negative. I have not seen a draft report or any sign of it. It is imminent but I will not sit here and tell him that "imminent" has any different meaning from this time last year. I am happy to accept the amendment on the basis that it might encourage us to give him the report and the information he has requested for the past number of years.