Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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I welcome Ms Anne Vaughan, Mr. John McKeon, Mr. Terry Corcoran and Mr. Brendan Friel from the Department of Social Protection
I wish to draw the attention of witnesses to the fact that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they are to give this committee. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to a particular matter and they continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. Witnesses are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and they are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise nor make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable
The opening statement submitted to the committee will be published on the committee website after the meeting.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that members should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. Please switch all phones off, or put them on flight mode.

Today's meeting is to consider Pathways to Work 2015, which was launched by the Taoiseach and Tánaiste last week. The Pathways to Work strategy was originally launched in 2012 and has been updated and renewed on an annual basis since then. It seeks to ensure that as many newly-created jobs as possible go to people on the live register. Today we will hear a presentation from the Department of Social Protection. I invite Ms Vaughan and Mr. McKeon to make the presentation.