Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

It is not the case. It is clearly different because you may choose to apply for work experience or not. In this legislation, you can be sent for work experience. To say they would simply take the job presumes that a job has been advertised or offered. You may well have companies saying they will take 20 people from your register. We will take 30 people and give them all work experience and the Department of social welfare can then pay them whatever amount it may be. It may well not be €450. We must bear in mind how low it can go. They will just get their social welfare payment. The caseworker can say there is work experience available, and you will be sent for it, or you could lose your payment. That is provided for as possible when you read the legislation. I am not talking about anybody's intent or what they want. We want to be clear in the language. Is it the case that people can be prescribed work experience and sent on work experience? With respect, I would like the Minister to answer this. They will go on work experience and will not receive payment from a company but will only receive the pay-related payment in this case.