Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am glad that the Minister is committed because my information is that the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection is directing people away from community employment schemes to keep Turas Nua and Seetec fed. It is to keep that monster fed. When does the Minister expect to be in a position to make a decision on the future of community employment schemes? Does she intend to retain responsibility for the schemes within her Department? There is a suggestion it may move to another Department.

The Indecon report contains a recommendation that active consideration be give to having an open, public, competitive procurement model for future provision of services, that is, the services being provided by the LES. Is the Minister aware that, as a State body, the LES would not be able to compete in such a procurement process? It would not be in a position to compete if the service was opened up to private tender in this way. That would directly open the door to the privatisation of the service. Unfortunately, I do not have time to reiterate my views in that regard which I delivered to the Minister last week during Private Members' business. Will she give an assurance to the people who are being well served by the LES and the dedicated staff within it that this is one of the recommendations she will not be accepting?

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