Ms Teresa Leonard:

I have not thanked all the Deputies and Senators for their kind words about the operational staff and staff who have worked across the Department. Those words are much appreciated because the staff have worked really hard on this scheme.

With regard to the application form, members will know that 90% of people apply online and are comfortable doing so. We have a very good process in place to supply application forms. There is an email address and when we are emailed we send out an application form very quickly. It is in the applicant's interest to apply online because we pay the week somebody applies. If one applies online on a Monday, one will get a payment the following Tuesday. The PUP week runs from Friday to Thursday. We have the payment available the following week unless there is something seriously wrong with the application. The online service forces people to put in the correct information and fill out the appropriate boxes. Therefore, we do not have to go back to people for further information. There is a lower likelihood of getting it wrong. In the beginning, quite a number of applications were filled out very incorrectly by individuals and the only option available to them was to apply again, which delayed them somewhat. We are very anxious to pay people as quickly as possible but we have a very good process in place such that there is absolutely no difficulty in getting a form. We provide it very quickly. I have two teams that work on it immediately. The applications are processed on receipt so there is no delay.

That should be borne in mind. We will consider putting the facility on our website. It is a fact that the quality of what people fill out and the actual response that we give them is better, as a consequence of them applying online. It is in the interest of customers that we have that as much as anything else.

In terms of activation, and I say this having heard from some of my colleagues, in the first instance it possibly would be to send out information to people in receipt of the PUP on how to start the process and to know what might be available to them. My colleague, Mr. Hession, has mentioned job supports, the different job incentive schemes, back-to-education scheme, back-to-work scheme, enterprise allowances, enterprise grants and training support grants. There is quite a range of stuff that would be of interest to some of the people on PUP and that might work in their interest. That is the starting point for pushing activation. It would be very useful for people to get the information initially. Mr. Hession has answered the question about a one-year course so that covers all of the questions.