Marie Moloney (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Chair and apologise for being late; I was attending the launch of our campaign on the children's referendum. I will not go over the community employment scheme as I know my colleagues have stressed its importance and value to local communities and particularly the value of the rural social scheme to rural communities. However, I wish to highlight its value to people with disabilities, particularly those with intellectual disabilities who never left the home until they started on a community employment scheme. One cannot put a monetary value on it because it has enhanced their lives, it means they are getting out and meeting people. The supervisors on the community employment and rural social schemes are understanding of their needs and give them the work they are capable of doing. That is invaluable. I know the representatives will say the Employ Ability Service is in place for people with disabilities for employers but many of these people could not hold down a day job. The community employment schemes are invaluable to them. I ask the representatives to take into consideration those with intellectual disabilities and seek to have the duration of the scheme extended. A participant may get one year, three years and, sometimes, six years. Perhaps that aspect could be taken on board when making decisions.