Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I know. There should be no fear or perception on the part of the person that his or her attendance at a meeting would not be considered if they have not, which is the impression that individuals have had. The key point is that they are entitled to a hard copy of a proposed plan prior to signing and the opportunity to seek external advice on that prior to any signing.

There should not be text, and there was in certain plans, in terms of sharing data in respect of family members or cohabitees. In terms of data privacy, it is important that plans should not include that.

The other key issue, which was a big concern, was the text that might require an individual to share the contact information, or permit contact, in respect of any employer who has offered the individual employment independently of a third party. This was based on cases that were heard whereby persons who independently secured employment found that the company that had been contracted to find them employment insisted on wanting to contact the employer that the individual had themselves sourced. It is undermining if a person has managed to source employment and his or her new employer is or could be contacted by a private company or by the State in respect of paperwork on that.

The amendment simply asks the Minister to put in place guidelines on this. There may be good practice. I appreciate it is not only private companies. It is Intreo. It is local employment. I am aware that personal progression plans are used across many services. Given that personal progression plans are now being used by private companies as well and given the messages we have received with respect to the Department whereby there has sometimes been a relationship in terms of the issuing of payment, it behoves the State to set in place guidelines. Previously, we did not have a situation where for-profit companies would be drawing up personal progression plans and that is why it needs an extra level of guidance and regulation.