John Paul O'Shea (Cork North-West, Fine Gael)
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Witnesses and members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable, or otherwise engage in speech that could be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Therefore, if a statement is potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, the speaker will be directed to discontinue his or her remarks. It is imperative to comply with any such direction of the Chair.

Members attending remotely are reminded of the constitutional requirement that to participate in public meetings, they must be physically present within the confines of the Leinster House complex. This is due to the constitutional requirement that to participate in public meetings members must be physically present within the confines of Parliament or where the Parliament has chosen to sit. In this regard, I ask all members participating via Microsoft Teams who wish to contribute to the meeting to confirm they are on the grounds of the Leinster House complex. I remind all those in attendance to make sure their mobile phones are switched off or in silent mode.

Today's meeting concerns a review of several schemes administered and funded by the Department of Social Protection. The rural social scheme, the community employment scheme and the Tús scheme are important in that they provide employment that benefit both individual participants and communities right across the country. We look forwarding to engaging with departmental officials and receiving an update on recent developments on these important programmes.

With that in mind, I welcome the following officials from the Department of Social Protection to today's meeting: Ms Fiona Ward, assistant secretary general; Mr. Tony Kieran, principal officer; Mr. Shane Reynolds, assistant principal and; Ms Oriel Glancy, assistant principal. I now invite Ms Ward to make her opening remarks.