Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Deputy Ó Caoláin has raised an important matter. No decisions have been made by the Cabinet in respect of any of these schemes in the forthcoming budget or any other budget, as yet. That will be for discussion and decision at Cabinet meetings between now and budget day. The social protection budget is €21 billion. The Minister, Deputy Burton's, focus is on inefficiencies, waste and fraudulent claims. As she pointed out this morning, there are over 60 schemes in the Department of Social Protection with a plethora of administrative and bureaucratic conditions attached to them. It should be possible to have a more streamlined impact. The emphasis has to be on getting people from a position where they are locked in and cannot do anything, to offer them upskilling through retraining courses leading to job creation. That is what we need.

I can confirm that every single scheme, including the back to education allowance, has been analysed by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform as part of the overall comprehensive review. I can further confirm that the Minister for Education and Skills and the Minister for Social Protection are working together to harmonise these schemes to deal with the very cases the Deputy has raised. They come across my desk as well. The Minister for Social Protection has altered the conditions in a number of cases to make it easier for people who are willing to go back to education, with a view to getting another module or degree. That will help them to find employment, so we strongly support it.

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