Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)

I move amendment No. 5:

In page 5, to delete lines 26 to 32.

This is interesting and I require clarification on the matter. Section 6(d) of the Bill proposes to insert the following text: "participates or agrees to participate as the case may be, if requested to do so by an officer of the Minister in a course of education, training or development which is considered appropriate by the officer having regard to the training and education needs of the person and his or her personal circumstances." Some questions arise from this text.

How will the officer assess the training education needs of the person concerned? This does not take place at present, at least, not in this format. At present, a person applies for a training or education course and is considered in respect of that request. The proposal in this section is very different. The officer chooses the training or education course for the person on jobseeker's allowance. This represents a significant departure. What qualifications would the Minister's officer be likely to have? Would the qualifications of a schools inspector or cigire apply? Would the qualifications of a primary or secondary school teacher apply? What qualifications would be appropriate for an officer of the Minister to decide on what course or education would be appropriate for a person in this regard? I call on the Minister to elaborate in this regard.

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