Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will ask the Department of Social Protection to communicate directly with the Senator but my understanding is that for commercial sensitivity reasons, it is not appropriate to publish the public procurement cost figure.

As late as yesterday, the published figures on long-term unemployment show that we were making significant progress. As the Senator said, if it quacks like a duck and walks like a duck, it is a duck. Whatever it is, it is working. We have a huge target in respect of long-term unemployed people who for many reasons, including the length of time they have been out of work, the fact that they require upskilling, etc., are the most difficult cohort on the live register in terms of moving them into gainful employment. Bearing in mind the costs, it is appropriate that there is a focus on that cohort.

The Senator made reference to the fact that the companies had the capacity to skim and take on those with whom they could work most appropriately. That is not the case. They have no role in respect of the random selection of people who are long-term unemployed. That is a function of the Department, which gives the clientele base to the company. They do not pick Mr. X or Miss Y who looks like somebody-----