Ms Anne Vaughan:

One of the points I make regularly about the Pathways to Work programme is that we must make it work on the ground. We must make it work at local office level, with local employers and agencies. We have been building relationships, be it with ETBs and the representatives of the enterprise agencie, in order those on the live register have a fair chance in seeking the jobs available. The only way to do this is through local contacts. It is very much a local initiative.

At the macro level, through the various arrangements in place for Pathways to Work, we have good relations with the agencies such as Forfás, the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and so on. It is working out at both ends and it is all down to people and local employers. Our staff are trying to have enhanced engagement with employers and the various agencies involved.