Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Far from it. Some months ago we commissioned a consultancy to advise us on how we should tailor an Irish solution. This commission involved international experts, with the use of Irish expertise. Some months ago we issued a PIN notice, a notice of interest, and arranged a consultation with groups and organisations, both not-for-profit organisations and organisations in the private sector, which would be interested in providing services. The Deputy is correct in saying we have a number of Irish organisations such as the local employment services which are heavily involved in providing detailed and helpful assistance for people who are unemployed and which we hope to expand.

The details of the numbers of case workers were provided in my response. We have 300 full-time case officers in the Department who also manage the new Intreo process. We have 150 employment mediators in the local employment service. In addition, we are redeploying a further 300 staff to help the long-term unemployed. Some 160 of these staff have already been assigned and commenced training. A further 200 will be redeployed next year. This will more than double the number assigned as case workers, in line with the recommendations of both Irish and international experts.

See this speech in context