Ms Lynn Coffey:

I thank Deputy Joan Collins. I agree the Minister appears to be gung-ho in going forward with this. When it comes to EU procurement, there are other social models. I referred in my submission to the social platform. We have asked for a stakeholder group to be established and we are seeking to have that done with the ethos of the social platform, which allows for social services. There are particular provisions in place for the delivery of contracts for social services.

Deputy Collins noted that the workforce of 400 is small. It is important to note that this small workforce has delivered very effective outcomes. The local employment service was set up under partnership in 1995-96. The number of people it has helped and brought through cannot be measured because there is no profit margin to measure it. We do not need a profit margin to measure it. However, we can see the difference it has made in the areas and communities in which we live, particularly underprivileged areas.

The Minister has cited EU procurement rules and the advice she has received from the Attorney General. As my colleague stated, this makes it very hard for us because the Minister is not willing to share that advice with us. How are we meant to understand what the Minister is saying if she will not share the information?