Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

Senator Tuffy's second point negates her first point. If the term "educational service" was restricted in the way outlined by Senator Tuffy, it would probably remove the board's flexibility to cater for something like child care. When I heard that one person opted for driving lessons, I realised that while driving lessons can open up many opportunities for people to secure employment, they would not be taken in a school recognised by the Department of Education and Science. We must have this kind of flexibility. Other people opted for apprenticeship courses, dance lessons, grinds, bus driving, music lessons and swimming lessons. As each individual application comes in, one must examine the circumstances of the person to see how he or she might benefit from it.

I know it was not Senator Tuffy's intention to narrow the options and I accept there must be some guidelines or criteria as a substantial amount of money is involved. However, with the establishment of an independent board, it will be able to outline the criteria for payments of grants and will also be obliged to publish a report every year, which will be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas so it can be monitored. However, it is important not to be overly restrictive for the very reasons mentioned by Senator Tuffy.