Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I do not want to predetermine the outcome of the evaluation. I take on board the Senator's evaluation on how she has seen it operate within her area. That may be the same across the 14 schemes, but we have yet to complete that evaluation. From the beginning, we wanted to identify elements that could be mainstreamed and included in the current system. This was not about setting up 14 separate groups across the country, but about trying 14, probably different, schemes, evaluating them to see what works well. Then, we will consider whether it is possible to mainstream these through our new Intreo offices and case officers.

The evaluation has a common sense purpose, to discover what worked well for participants, whether it was of value to them and whether that can be replicated in the mainstream through the Department's current resources. Having met some participants and some scheme organisers, I believe there is quality in the schemes. We must quantify that and see how we can replicate it to ensure everybody can take advantage of it. Not all of the schemes will be as successful as the one Senator Moran has outlined. Let us learn from them and see whether we can reproduce the good work that has been carried out and get that into the mainstream.