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

Again, I am not proposing to accept this amendment on the basis that what the Senator is asking us to do already exists. The focus of our employment services provided through Intreo is supporting and assisting people back into the workforce where it is appropriate for them. The Intreo services are already open to anybody who is looking for a job regardless of what their status is. Whether the person is a returning housewife who was a qualified adult, a returning housewife who was not supported by the State, a person with a disability or a former carer, it does not make any difference to us whatsoever. We would be delighted if anybody walked in the front door of an Intreo office and we would give him or her exactly the level of access to services, supports, training, employment opportunities as we give all our jobseekers.