Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

On JobPath, Deputies are relating the experiences not of people who are influenced by what happened in the United Kingdom, but the practical experience of people who have contacted us. I am getting exactly the same kind of feedback as other Deputies are. I have discussed the matter with Mr. McKeon previously at meetings of the Committee of Public Accounts with regard to people having to give up a part-time job to go on JobPath. They felt that that was the only option available. The kind of advice people get and the kind of jobs they are being pointed towards, which they could also find on the Internet, may be very different to their experience. I know what will happen after this meeting. If there is any media coverage of this issue, Deputies will be contacted by a raft of additional people. It is unusual for that to happen. It certainly influences my outlook on the experiences people are having.

I question whether people really feel they can be honest in a survey, even if it is separate to JobPath, carried out by the Department. It is not an equal relationship or, at least, people often do not feel it is an equal relationship. They feel dependent and do not wish to rock the boat. I think that is worth considering in terms of proper evaluation. The Comptroller and Auditor General prepared a report or an outline last week in terms of value for money. In the context of outcomes for the individuals involved, I would be really concerned if local employment services are saying that people are coming to them demoralised after an experience with JobPath. That is the opposite to what was sought to be achieved. I ask Mr. McKeon to look at how this is evaluated. Deputies are raising these issues as a result of the experiences people are relating to us and for no other reason.