Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

In February, a motion was passed in this Chamber calling for the Minister not to renew the contract for JobPath. In response to a parliamentary question last month, the Department told me there was an option to renew it for two years. Is this also for new referrals? There has been a 36% increase in the figures for people receiving penalties between 2017 and 2018. It is highly ironic that people's very basic living money, the amount they get on social welfare, can be penalised, in the context of the penalties that apply in this House to Deputies who misuse the voting system. It is extremely unfair to apply this sanction to people. The two companies engaged by the State, namely, Turas Nua and Seetec, have received €75.7 million and €73.3 million from the State so far. Is the Minister renewing the contracts and will the penalties apply to new or existing people on the scheme?

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