Ms Bríd O'Brien:

The issue of control in the context of how the system engages with the adult population is an important one. Again, a far better use of resources is ensuring that people end up participating in initiatives that are most suited to them and will help them progress onwards. The service is beginning to move in that direction but, again, because the Department of Social Protection has dual responsibility for the employment service and the control of its expenditure the two are pulling against each other. That needs to be resolved.

I agree that the back-to-work family dividend is an important development, as is the retention of medical cards. Again, what is important is that people are made aware of this when making considerations about returning to work. Likewise, it is important people are also informed about the family income supplement, FIS. The vast majority of people are better off in work. Often what is at issue is that information is not being given to them at the right time. The housing assistance payment, HAP, is an important development. The big challenge is whether landlords will buy into it.