Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

It is fair to say that these are people who present voluntarily and who would like to get work. These are people who, in many instances, are capable of trying to get work for themselves but for whatever reason, they are currently out of work. In many cases, they do not feel they need to be dictated to or talked down to by a private, for profit organisation. The difference here is that Seetec is a private, for profit company which is getting paid on the basis of the numbers of cases it handles.

One woman phoned our office to tell us she did not sign a personal progression plan but was told that it had been signed on her behalf. What service is this organisation supposed to be providing? I know Deputy Shortall raised this issue in the House previously.

The person on whose behalf she raised it has been in contact with us and also written to the Minister. The man who is 46 years old has said he felt utterly demoralised and depressed as a result of the treatment he received. He is willing to find and capable of finding work for himself. He wants to know why a private company was looking for the right or power to contact a future employer on his behalf. If his employment needs to be confirmed, it should be done by the Department, not by a private company. That is the difference or difficulty.

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