Anthony Lawlor (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I thank the delegation for coming and welcome the opportunity to ask some questions. Will Ms Vaughan provide a list of Intreo offices being proposed? In County Kildare what is happening can be described as retro rather than Intreo because we are going from having one stop to four or five, particularly in Newbridge where we still do not have a single unit. What contact does the Department have with the OPW? It seems strange that a different agency is finding facilities for another Department. Is there any truth in the rumour that the Newbridge Credit Union building will be used as the Intreo facility?

Members have spoken about the suitability of persons for various FÁS courses. I know of a number of people who have been placed on courses, even though they were not suitable. How do we make sure people undertake courses that are suitable for them? What percentage of those on FÁS courses are subsequently employed in positions related to the courses they have undertaken? I have discovered that people who want to do something particular start the Pathways to Work programme, but there are no courses available for them. Does the Department intend to do anything about this? How does it reduce social welfare payments to individuals when there is no interaction with social welfare offices? What is the figure in that regard? How is it proposed to step down their social welfare income?