Dr. Mary Murphy:

That is a really important question. One of big deficits in the Pathways to Work model is that there is no a governance system to oversee it. There was a labour market council but it was stood down. There is some consideration being given to reconstituting that council. It largely comprised civil servants and some employers. Direct representation of Traveller and other groups experiencing particular challenges relating to employment is very important in that respect. One example relates to the quota. Who sets it and would there be Traveller input into that? What sort of supports are needed to make a quota work? One of the problems with quotas as they are currently set is that they are not working in practice because none of the underlying supports to enable people to stay in positions once they get in is there. Post-employment sustainability for quotas is really important.

In the past there was talk of a job offer guarantee and a former Minister, Deputy Ó Cuív, was around at that time. If there is the idea of owing the value to the Traveller community for the banishment it experienced from the larger society, a job offer guarantee could be meaningful. It could come in the form of a quota, internships, social enterprises and a wide range of opportunities. The idea of a guarantee of an opportunity could be very important.