Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

While there may be access in principle, we are often not seeing effective access in practice. I have heard of many instances of people being unable to access full supports or being told that they will have to join the live register and indicate full-time availability, which some of them are unable to do. Alternatively, they have been told that they are not a priority at this time or they have been given basic information in the form of leaflets and a website. They have not been afforded case workers. This is particularly so in terms of back to education measures and other programmes.

I acknowledge the Minister's statement that she is now seeking to pursue active measures in terms of, for example, the pilot on jobless households. A person's right to be supported through activation and employment measures is intrinsic and should not depend on the status of his or her partner or household. However, I recognise this as a step forward and I hope that the lessons from the pilot scheme will lead to a further extension of supports.

I wish to clarify something about the pilot scheme on jobless households. When will we take lessons from that and determine how it might be strengthened or rolled out further? Is participation on a voluntary basis? There is a difference between encouragement and compulsion. We want to be able to give people encouragement and support so that they feel like they can walk into Intreo or local employment service offices or whatever the case may be, but bringing them in with a fear of sanction or loss of payment is the way to go. Will the Minister confirm that this is not the approach?