Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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I thank our guests for their presentations. Like the previous speaker, I am aware of people who encountered difficulties when they have presented at Intreo offices. However, the majority of those to whom I have spoken are of the view that the service is very good and that it helped point them in the right direction. I am aware of three people who were obliged to change case officers. Is there a particular reason why individuals may have to change case officers? Does it just come down to a clash of personalities? In general, I must say "Well done," because I am of the view that the service is operating well. A great deal of work remains to be done on the ground but the new offices are making an impact. The majority of people I meet indicate that it is a very interesting experience, particularly as they believe they have been listened to. The latter is very important when one is unemployed.

The number of older people who are unemployed stands at 72%. I know many individuals who were self-employed but who, unfortunately, were obliged to close down their operations. As a result, these people have been left without any form of income at all. I know many others who are in their late 50s or early 60s, who were involved in construction and who lost their jobs. There is nothing out there for these people. All of the skills they obtained during their working lives are being lost. It has been stated that because we are going to begin building houses again, there will be a need to bring back people who emigrated to facilitate this. There are many people who never left and who have the necessary skills in this regard. However, these individuals are being left in long-term unemployment. I speak to many of them and the lack of self-esteem among them is dreadful. It just drags them down on a daily basis. Those to whom I refer are construction workers, electricians, plumbers and carpenters and they are being informed that they should do computer courses. These men have worked with their hands all their lives and it is very difficult for them when they are advised in this way.

Will our guests outline what the mapping process involves? Will they indicate why - this was the case even when there was full employment here - so many young people do not take up job opportunities? I am aware of one or two individuals who would not take up the jobs they were offered because those jobs were in fast food outlets. They preferred to stay on the dole.