Mr. Alan Chapman:

On the wage subsidy scheme, there is a monitoring visit by the employment service officer every year to see that the terms are being complied with. The Deputy asked about working with the employers and the sorts of supports involved. Since we took over the programme from FÁS, the new people who have gone on the wage subsidy scheme since the end of last year and the employers have the facility to use our employability service if they have any problems with regard to assistive technology or queries about difficulties in the workplace.

However, I highlight the fact that it is a financial subsidy to do things. Most of the checks are made to ensure tax compliance by employers in receipt of the subsidy.