Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the lack of availability of activation services and other supports for unemployed people who are not on the live register.

I wish to inform our guests that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. However, if witnesses are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to do so, 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 are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or 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 statements submitted to the committee will be published on its website after this meeting. I remind members of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they 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. I ask everybody to ensure their mobile telephones are either turned off or switched to flight mode, otherwise they interfere with the broadcast equipment.

As stated, today's topic is the lack of availability of activation services and other supports for unemployed people who are not on the live register. As a committee, we have discussed this matter on a number of occasions. Deputies Ó Snodaigh, Clare Daly, Ryan and Conaghan, Senator Moloney and I all requested that we should have meetings on it. This is an important topic for many members. Obviously, constituents raise the issue in circumstances where they may not fit into the live register in the sense that they could become activated. Members are concerned at how the current system excludes certain categories of people from valuable opportunities to re-engage with the labour market.

For an update on this matter I am pleased to welcome from the Irish National Organisation for the Unemployed, INOU, Mr. John Stewart and Ms Bríd O'Brien, and from the Department of Social, Mr. John McKeon, Mr. Tom Lehane and Mr. Niall Egan. I invite Mr. John Stewart to make the presentation on behalf of the INOU.