Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Let me confirm that the personal progression plan is not a contract. It is not a legally binding document. It is not something that can be forced. It is supposed to be an aid, a pathway for somebody who is unemployed to being in employment.

There is already a legal obligation on a jobseeker to inform the Department of a change in circumstances. It is not like we are trying to find out that a person is actually living with his or her rich Auntie Mary. If a person is living with rich Auntie Mary, the person is obliged, through the jobseeker's payment that he or she gets, to come and tell the Department anyway. The only reason there might be a curiosity, because it is not a requirement of the progression plan, on the part of one's adviser to know the person's circumstances is so that he or she can learn what barriers exist in the jobseeker's life.

Hopefully, I can reassure the Senator. I am not the type of person who gets told something by somebody and thinks it is gospel. For the past number of weeks, one day a week every week, I have visited an Intreo, Seetec or Turas Nua office to see for myself. I have to talk to the staff and they are all lovely, they really are. Actually, I am more concerned about speaking to those who are sitting on the other side of the desks. This week I was in Kildare. Last week I was in Longford. The week before, I think, it was Athlone. I go and meet these people so that I can be categorically satisfied when I stand in front of the Seanad and state that I see good stuff happening. With tens of thousands of people, one will always have somebody who does not have a pleasant experience. It might be a personality. We have to deal with those on a case by case basis. However, in the main, we are providing real opportunity and progression for those who are going through JobPath. I witnessed a young fella giving his adviser a Christmas present wrapped up - a poinsettia and a box of chocolates - the other day. Not to be smart or dismissive, one knows when somebody is living on €198 a week that is a lot of money to take out of his own pocket to show an appreciation of somebody who is genuinely helping him.

The purpose of us doing this is to help. It is not to poke or prod people.

To be absolutely categorically clear, it is not a legally-binding document. If somebody wishes, he or she may take it home and talk to their mother, friend or partner about what is in the progression plan.