Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Before the Minister comes back with responses, I echo the comments Deputy Ó Cuív has just made. I have a couple of specific questions. The Revised Estimate for the work placement and experience programme is €3.67 million, which seems a very small amount of money. The detail of it has yet to be announced. What are the projected numbers for this year? I know they are more than 10,000 for next year, but is there an opportunity to ramp it up beyond that figure based on demand? What specific focus is being put on to engage directly with employers to ensure that those places become available? This could be a very useful scheme if it is structured properly, but it is imperative that there is an incentive for people to take on this experience without being exploited, and an incentive for employers. They need to be made aware of this particular scheme.

Two other issues have been referenced. First, on the enterprise support grant for people over the age of 66, we have taken a decision where we want people to work longer in the workforce. I know there has been a postponement put on that at the moment, but that is the view of Government, that we want people to work longer in the workforce. Yet these very people in the workforce who are working beyond their 66th birthday were denied the pandemic unemployment payment and the enterprise support grant to get back to work. They are, therefore, being doubly discriminated against. It is going to be very difficult to encourage people to remain in the workforce into the future if this is the approach that is being taken to them during a pandemic like the one we are dealing with.

Second, I echo the comments of Deputy Carey. It would be useful if we could get an update on the community employment supervisors' pensions. This is a very contentious and long-running issue. I know from my previous discussions at the Cabinet that it is not a black and white issue, but it does need to be resolved and cannot drag on much longer.