Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

One of the first things that struck me with regard to people who make applications for social welfare is the fact that we gather very little information about them. Then we send them to FÁS, which fills in another form and gathers the information that is needed. It would be better, more efficient and in the client's best interest if they give information such as their age, education experience or work experience when they fill in the form in the first instance. It is not appropriate to list specifically in the Bill what information would be required because we need to do this in the best interests of the client. We would have that information and refer the client as quickly as possible to the jobs facilitator or whoever might be able to advise them on what is necessary for them.

This provision allows the Department to build up a better profile of the person. We already get the information on habitual residency, which is important, but the issue is how best we can use that information in the interests of the client. It is not appropriate to be specific at this stage other than to give the power to get the type of information which would facilitate targeted interventions for people and support them into training.