Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

Many issues have been raised. Since I came into the Department, we have been involved in much reform. A further Bill will come to the House this week which will prove this and deal with the introduction of the internship in order that private employers can take on people as interns. There is also the new Tús scheme, although I understand Senator Norris has a difficulty with the name "Tús", which means "beginning". We have all heard the seanfhocal, tús maith leath na hoibre. I hope this informs the erudite Professor from Trinity College. Obviously, Joyce must never have used the word "Tús" in any of his works. We are also introducing the public services card.

Probably the most radical change we are making is in regard to the partial capacity Bill, which will allow people on long-term disability payments to earn as much as they want and retain payments proportionate to the disability. This is the quickest and best way out of poverty for those who have a capacity to work but still have an underlying disability. Given my years of experience, while I fully recognise there are those who do not have a capacity to earn, for those who do, the quickest way out of poverty is not through more payments but through the right to work.