Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The social welfare officers hear a great variety of explanations as to reasons people might be otherwise engaged as in the example given by Senator John Kelly. I am aware that people from many parts of the world are signing on as well as Irish people. For example, social welfare offices facilitate people if they wish to take a short holiday. I do not understand the exact circumstances that apply to the case raised by Senator Kelly but I know that people who wish to go on short holidays are facilitated, provided they get the advice and information. If the Senator provides the details I will ask the official in charge of the area the precise policy. By and large, within the social welfare offices we have a number of staff, as described by Senator Marie Moloney, some of whom are former community welfare officers and some are from the former FÁS, who are involved in the activation, interview, case management approach. There is a high level of flexibility to encourage people back. In many cases people may be working with the local employment service, if there is one in their area. The people involved in those services are, by and large, very generous and thoughtful in assisting people to make their arrangements. I am informed that section 12(1)(a) is consequential on the deletion of subparagraph (iv) which was a condition for jobseeker's benefit, that is, the day of employment, and that is no longer required. It is a technical change to make clear what is involved.