Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister for answering the various questions put to him. Deputy Dara Calleary referred to the promotion of these schemes. In fairness, the committee has teased out various ideas which did not come from the manifestos of members' individual parties. Many have been put forward and we try to feed them into the reports we produce. I am glad that the Minister made reference to our reports during his various contributions. A common theme during the committee's discussions is that a common-sense approach should apply in some of the schemes. I am not necessarily referring to the Minister's Department in that regard, but certain Departments should definitely apply a little more common sense in the qualifying criteria for schemes. There should be a way, for example, to resolve difficulties relating to someone being obliged to wait a couple of days or even a couple of months to get on a scheme. People generally want to return to work and sometimes the State - in the guise of Departments - can get in the way with particular rules it imposes. I understand rules must be built into schemes when they are designed. However, applying a little common sense when they are in operation can make all the difference.

Deputy Dara Calleary also referred to the way in which schemes are advertised. Many business groups, etc., come before the committee and it is obvious that many of the individuals to whom we speak are not aware of the existence of some schemes. There is a need for a cross-departmental advertising campaign to get the message across to businesses on what schemes are available. Schemes such as that which relates to family income supplement do not often seem to availed of by many businesses - either by employers or employees - because it can be difficult to access them. However, chasing them up can be a worthwhile exercise. There is a need to advertise these worthy schemes because the level of take-up could be better. There is definitely a need to sell them. This is not just a job for Departments; the various State agencies involved, the chambers of commerce, etc., must also be involved. As the Minister knows, it is not enough just to have these schemes in place, efforts must be made to promote them. This is an issue which is not often stressed outside this room but on which emphasis is placed at almost every meeting we hold.

The fact that we have been able to discuss the Action Plan for Jobs at this meeting will be of assistance in flagging some of the initiatives relating to it. The plan is extremely good and involves getting back to basics, laying down a roadmap for where we want to go, identifying everything that needs to be done and ticking all of the boxes. This plan is the most important which has been produced, particularly because of the initiatives it contains. The basics are often missed and as the Minister has often pointed out, we did not do the basics during the boom years. That is why we are in the position in which we find ourselves. The action plan will correct the position in that regard. Some of the initiatives within it may seem small in nature, but they are essential and must not be forgotten over time. I compliment the Minister on the plan.

If it is acceptable to the Minister, the committee would be interested in meeting him on a regular basis in order that we might scrutinise the level of progress on the Action Plan for Jobs. I accept that he might be put on the spot to some degree at such meetings, but that is good for everyone involved because we would all have a chance to tease out matters. I thank the Minister and his officials for attending.