Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

When I previously asked if persons could access supports in a period, the Minister told me that the Department waits for them to become unemployed. That was at a social protection committee meeting. It is one thing to say there are other opportunities but this is about ensuring we work with people while they are in their current employment. We must consider how such people can access particular casework and support so there may be, as far as possible, a seamless transition to another form of employment and that perhaps there may be targeted work with sets of employees. It should not just be limited to companies as not every company will successfully transition but we must take in individuals working in certain sectors. The Minister is responsible for employment and social protection. Those two sectors were brought together.