Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I know why the Deputy is saying that, but the answer is "No" because we will not reduce our ambition to provide people with assistance in getting full-time jobs. The 30% figure is a target. It is not set in stone. If a service reaches 28.5% we will not cut the legs off it. The LES and every single jobs club does extremely valuable work.

In some cases, services have been reconfigured or clubs have been merged because of a reduction in numbers, but not because there has been a reduction in the value of the money, commitment or services provided by the contract and Department. It is simply about reorganisation. There is no club which does not have the ability to come and make a case if it does not reach the minimum target in terms of why, where, when and what it will do to make sure it meets it next year. It is not about reducing standards. We are committed to working together to make sure that we address clubs where there are particular difficulties. That does not really happen because the commitment and ambition of the LES and all jobs clubs are to help people who are jobs ready to match the skills they have with the jobs which are available.

The system is working and some LES centres have a jobs finding rate far in excess of 30%. The Deputy may know of one particular case. We are always willing to talk if changes are required. It would be silly for us to make a change to the ambition of what was set down.

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