Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I have talked to them. If the Minister of State and Minister had listened to my criticism of the Gateway scheme, they would have learned there is no proper training or structure to it. I have always argued that a model similar to the community employment model should have been used. It would have allowed somebody to come out the other end with a qualification or achievement that can be put on a CV, rather than requiring him to say he spent two years pulling weeds, filling sandbags or cutting hedges. The scheme jobs are specifically set up to displace local authority staff.

I have come across two changes, which are welcome if they have been implemented. I saw a letter from an assistant principal officer in the Department to a council official that indicated a number of changes. It stated that, in the event that a jobseeker does not wish to participate in Gateway, the Department is committed to finding other suitable activation measures or identifying whether other supports are more appropriate. Will the Department confirm that this means the threat of the reduction or withdrawal of payment for refusing to participate on Gateway has been lifted?

The second change is one that I had encouraged from the start, which confirms I have not been negative, as the Minister of State has alleged. The change involves the addition of a voluntary application process. If this applies, can it be extended to the Tús programme. I also have problems with this programme but I have not been totally negative because of its benefits, sometimes to the community. I have always argued there needs to be a training grant given in all of the schemes, as in the CE scheme.

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