Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Apologies have been received from Deputy Kerrane. I congratulate my constituency colleague, who is now a former member of the committee. We have not yet received formal notification but I thank her for her work and the very active role she played on the committee through the past two years. She is going on to the greener fields of the agriculture portfolio. I wish her well in that role.

Members who are participating remotely are required to be within the precincts of Leinster House. I ask members and witnesses to please turn off their mobile phones or ensure they are on silent mode. I ask members participating remotely to please use the raise hand function on Teams if they wish to contribute.

We are meeting to discuss the implementation of the pay-related jobseeker's benefit straw man report from the perspective of the Department of Social Protection. The Minister for Social Protection published the straw man proposals last year. These set out the broad parameters of an approach in respect of this topic. A straw man report is an illustrative working model used to stimulate discussion on a topic, providing a focal point for submissions in response to the illustrative model and generally assisting with consideration by those who would be impacted by the policy change.

As members will know, the main rationale for pay-related benefits is that people falling out of employment and claiming unemployment supports often do so with established financial and other commitments. As a result, they often face a sudden drop in income in the immediate aftermath of the loss of employment. At present, the maximum amount a person on jobseeker's allowance can receive is €220 per week, with additional allowances given for adult or child dependents, depending on means. Having regard to the pay-related systems that are common across Europe, the straw man consultation paper published in December last year sets out a possible model of reform for consideration. It is proposed to provide a more effective cushion from the income shock for those who fall into unemployment. While the straw man primarily focuses on jobseeker's payments, feedback is also being sought to inform consideration of potential changes to other short-term schemes such as parent's benefit and illness benefit.

From the Department of Social Protection, I welcome Mr. Rónán Hession, assistant secretary of working age income supports, Mr. Eamonn Phelan, principal officer, jobseekers and farm assist policy, and Ms Karen Byrne, assistant principal with responsibility for jobseekers and farm assist policy.

Before we begin, I wish to explain some limitations to parliamentary privilege, and the practice of the Houses with regard to references the witnesses may make to other persons in their evidence. The evidence of witnesses physically present or who give evidence from within the parliamentary precincts is protected, pursuant to both the Constitution and statute, by absolute privilege. Witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity, by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable, or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Therefore, if the witnesses' statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that witnesses comply with any such direction. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise, or make charges against a person inside or outside the House or an official, by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I call on Mr. Hession to make his opening statement.