Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate the points that the Senator is making. Unfortunately, the Minister for Social Protection is unable to attend the House but I assure the Senator that her concerns about the reply that I delivered will be conveyed to the Minister at the earliest opportunity. Perhaps the Senator will have a further opportunity to do the same thing.

As the statistics indicate, almost 18,000 people have participated on the scheme. That is a very significant number. There may be some tweaking to do but I cannot give a commitment that it will be done. I am obliged to leave that matter to the Minister's discretion. I have no direct responsibility in this matter because I serve in a different Department. Nevertheless, I am of the view that the Minister, who is a reasonable person, would certainly entertain any proposals that would lead to the operation of the scheme being improved.