Marie Moloney (Labour)
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I thank the Minister. I am sorry I missed the start of her presentation, as I had other meetings to attend. I note from her presentation that she expects to take €440 million out of the social welfare spend in the forthcoming budget. At the same time, she has indicated that she wants to maintain core payments. This really means that supplementary payments which are paid to those who are most vulnerable will have to be cut. I refer to disability payments, carer's payments and old age pensions. If supplementary payments are to be targeted for cutbacks, it will not look well.

I compliment and commend the Minister on the introduction of the JobsPlus programme. It will have a great impact on the long-term unemployed who always seem to find it the most difficult to get back into employment. The longer a person is unemployed, the more unlikely it is that an employer will hire him or her.

This will be a good incentive for employers and employees alike. Will the Minister update us on the success of the JobBridge programme? Can a person participating in it progress to JobsPlus?