Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

I outlined a previous reply by the Minister to my colleague, Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh. It was the Minister's reply that made reference to the FÁS work placement programme in the first instance. Sadly, it has brought no benefit other than the experience itself in the particular case I cite. With respect, although the Minister gave a lengthy, nine paragraph reply, it is only in the last paragraph that any reference is made to the situation in regard to one-parent family payment, which is the focus of my question.

There should be no mistake. We were not, by any means, enthusiasts for the JobBridge scheme when it was first introduced. We believed it was poorly designed and aimed at camouflaging the real situation in regard to the unemployment rate. We argued it was not a substitute for a programme of job creation, which we do not believe the Government has seriously brought forward.

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