Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)

The Department is currently evaluating the various models operating in other countries. I expect to be able to develop proposals following the evaluation. I am extremely conscious of what the Deputy has referenced, which is the negative experiences in some countries, as well as positive experiences. In this country, using the local employment services model, we have experience of taking in people to provide services who are not civil servants through external agencies and companies. I hope we will use the best models that are available.

There is no compelling evidence one way or the other from international experiences about a greater effectiveness from the private sector. The net issue here is, given that so many people are unemployed and need assistance to get back into training and education, what additional resources do we require and what other models can develop and use, either within the public service or with the assistance on a selective basis of the private sector to improve the service to those who are unemployed? That is the net issue.

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