Áine Collins (Cork North West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I support that and thank the Secretary General.

I believe that a real issue exists in respect of Tús. As I am a tax consultant by profession, I understand the taxation system very well. However, the Secretary General will appreciate that someone who is participating in a Tús programme is still in receipt of social welfare. I acknowledge that he or she is working and gaining experience, but this work usually is in a community scheme. It is very valid from a social point of view and is fantastic with regard to giving someone conference and getting activated. However, such participants still are getting a payment from the Department of Social Protection, and this issue must be examined. I appreciate that it is a policy issue for the Government, and the Minister will be obliged to consider it. I am unsure whether there is a major issue in the sense of there being a large number of people on the higher level who would hit the tax and universal social charge, USC, thresholds. With the community employment scheme, it does not come into the same-----