Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

When I was talking to a guy in my constituency office recently - believe it or not, people come into our constituency offices as well to discuss these schemes - he asked me whether, if he is selected to go on this scheme, he will be able to take up a day's work as a chippie on a building site if he is offered such employment. According to the criteria, as published on the website of the Department of Social Protection, one cannot avail of part-time work if it interferes with one's Gateway scheme. Deputy Creed can shake his head, but I am merely referring to what it says on the Department's website. I am not making this up. If the Deputy has an issue with that, he can take it up with the Minister for Social Protection. The reality is that if a person who is working almost four hours a day on this scheme five days a week, to make up the 19.5 hours, is given an opportunity to work on a building site next week to earn €100, which is what they would get for five weeks' work on this scheme, he or she will have to turn it down.

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