Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I note that the Minister is interested in mirroring language. My next set of amendments speaks to the differences between this legislation and current schemes. There are parts where the legislation does not mirror the current language. Is the phrase "submit to" used in the current legislation, or is it "attend for"? I would like to tease out that specific issue. If it is the case that "submit to" is used rather than "attend for" I will seek to amend that by way of the other legislation. The circumstances have changed. This is not simply a like-for-like mirroring of what we previously had because when the previous legislation was put forward, private companies with specific targets and profit motives - and the issue of their role is a separate debate - were not operating in the sector. That is why an extra layer of clarification with regard to whom the service is serving, the power dynamic and where the emphasis should be with regard to the delivery of services is important.

Personal progression plans are another specific issue which has changed. I accept the Minister's point that these changes may need to relate not only to supports for the self-employed, as outlined in this section of the Bill, but more widely. I may need to table amendments mirroring this in respect of jobseeker's benefit and other similar benefits. The signing of a plan is related to payment. The Minister may be able to confirm that but at a meeting of the Joint Committee on Employment Affairs and Social Protection officials from the Department gave the strong impression that the signing of plans has at least some relationship to payment. If that is the case, there is a concern that people who are commercially motivated may decide they need to get a given number of personal progression plans signed and may put pressure on somebody by threatening to say he or she has not attended or co-operated. That is an issue. We know that inappropriate plans are made. I worked with young, unemployed people in Wexford. I remember talking to a young girl who had worked breaking horses and in animal training. She was told that she should do childcare. She knew that she has the opposite set of skills and that it would not be appropriate for her to do a childcare course and that caring for children would not be appropriate for her. She felt it was an inappropriate match for her but that if she did not agree to it her payments would be vulnerable. I know there are many more such instances.

The Minister is not going to accept these amendments. It is a wider issue, but a new circumstance. With regard to personal progression plans and my previous amendments with regard to guidelines and assurances, what assurances can the Minister give in respect of those guidelines?