Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)

I oppose this section. It allows for a person of any age on jobseeker's benefit to be denied payment on a day or several days on which he or she refuses to take a course when requested by a Department official. It is fair enough that people are asked and expected to take courses for their benefit, for self-development and to make themselves more employable. However, under the section there are no safeguards for unreasonable requests or for the standard of courses people are expected to attend.

It is very noisy.

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