Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I compliment the people on CE schemes and the supervisors on their work. There are currently 1,373 supervisors on 1,089 CE schemes across the country. This year, there are 25,000 involved, including supervisors, assistant supervisors and those on placements. There have been 25,300 places available. This includes an additional 2,000 places allocated by the Government in the budget for this year.

I acknowledge the important work of CE schemes across the country and the role of supervisors in looking after their workers. In my county, County Wexford, villages have been transformed by the work of those on CE schemes.

Community employment schemes involving tidy towns groups or parish organisations in visiting the elderly or community hospitals and so on do fabulous work. I have no doubt that County Wexford is not alone in this regard and that community employment schemes in County Clare have transformed places also.

I will convey the Deputy's concerns to the Ministers for Social Protection and Public Expenditure and Reform. There was consultation with the Departments of Public Expenditure and Reform and Finance and responsibility lies with FÁS.

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