Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

That is fine. I have no problem with showing the way in Tallaght, which is a great example of how the job should be done. Following his successful visit to Tallaght, the Minister intends to go all over the country, including Swords. I suspect he will go to Limerick and other areas. When the Minister came to Tallaght, he met a group of people who gathered to tell it as it is. It was not a Fianna Fáil group. I am sorry if that offends anybody. We discussed what should be done about social welfare benefits and other priorities. The point was strongly made that people do not want to stay on social welfare. People want employment, education and schemes. I hope the Minister will follow through on the points he has made on more than one occasion, including at the meeting in Tallaght and at yesterday's meeting of the Select Committee on Social and Family Affairs. I refer, for example, to his suggestion that the need to prepare people to go back into the workforce will be prioritised.

The critics will say there are no jobs out there, which highlights the fact that employment is the major issue in this context. The next election may well be a case of "the economy, stupid", but it should also be about jobs. There are almost 11,000 unemployed people, including many young people, in my community of Tallaght. We need to give people hope. We should grasp the nettle when it comes to this issue, rather than merely talking about it. I appreciate that it falls under the remit other Departments, including the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation. The Minister, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, has a clear role to play in this regard. I will continue to make these points to him, as I did to his predecessor.

The Minister, Deputy Ó Cuív, also has a role to play as far as this challenge is concerned. He knows it would be good for people to get back to work. He knows it would be good for the country if people did not have to depend on his Department to look after them. It would relieve the burden on the State as well. The Minister has mentioned all sorts of ideas about getting people back into work. I strongly support the community employment and job initiative schemes because it is important to give people an opportunity to do something meaningful. We all know that many jobs need to be done in communities throughout the country. Therefore, volunteerism needs to be supported. All kinds of activities, including summer camps for young people and initiatives for older people, are being pursued in our communities at present.

I listened to the comments that were made in the House last night about the proposal to reduce the jobseeker's payments of those who do not find work or take up opportunities. I hope the Minister and the Department will be flexible in this regard. If no jobs are available, one cannot penalise or punish people who cannot find work. I would never pick on social welfare staff, and certainly not the people in the fine office in Tallaght. However, the system needs to be flexible. We have to try to encourage people, look after them and make sure they are treated properly. I appreciate the courtesy that has been extended to me by the Chair. I look forward to supporting this Bill.

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