Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I knew any amendments to this section would not be eligible because they affect money. I am sorry I was not here for the Second Stage debate. I wish the Minister well in her next endeavours.

I have serious concerns about this section that I hope the Minister can address. As I understand it, the section will increase the amount that will be cut from not only jobseeker's benefit but jobseeker's allowance. In that context, these are significant cuts. For example, there will be cuts of €44 and €90, and €120 or €147, as opposed to €99 or €120. The Minister can clarify the position.

I understand that in respect of jobseeker's allowance, we are talking about persons who have been means-tested. They need this money to live. Their families need this money to live and get by. It is not pin money or bonus money; this is survival money. It is extremely concerning that the question of non-co-operation, which can be quite subjectively interpreted, now arises.

In the previous Oireachtas, I sat on the social protection committee and we produced a report on JobPath. Significant concerns were raised in respect of personal progression plans and the payment model, where contracted private companies were required to have deliverables in respect of moving people off the register and into particular kinds of employment, and the pressure put on individuals to sign up to personal progression plans which, in some cases, were not appropriate.The Minister will remember that when we discussed other legislation, I raised concerns around how the language was framed. Even on the new payment, for example, some of the language suggests that you would accept almost any employment or training opportunity. There are two sections of the Bill that I am going to speak to, but this one is really important.