Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Penrose for his contribution. I will answer Deputy Fitzmaurice first. He spoke about rural proofing. It is a very valid point. Every other day, we get memos from Government with regard to what has been proposed by other Ministers. My officials and I have to watch these memos come in because these are what will determine the decision. I have to make observations on these on a regular basis. If we cannot get agreement on an official level, then it comes to the Cabinet table. I have a role. I have heard Deputy Fitzmaurice raise this previously and I note other Ministers have a role too. It is not just one Minister. Each Minister has an obligation to ensure plans are Border-proof, poverty-proof and so on. I have to make sure, at every opportunity I get, with every issue that comes through, that we make an observation on it. It is a valid point. I do not have direct control over every Minister. Every Minister has his or her own Department and every Department runs its affairs independently but if I make a recommendation on changes, legislation or any schemes I am bringing in, I have to bring a memo to Government in order that other Ministers can make an observation with regard to what I am doing. It is a valid point that I have to keep looking at.

Deputies Fitzmaurice and Michael Collins, who is absent, raised the issues of rural social schemes, community schemes and so on. I have been speaking to the Minister, Deputy Regina Doherty, and recently we had meetings with the officials at the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection about these schemes and other issues. While unemployment levels are falling, these communities are dependent on these schemes. These people do an excellent job for the community with the little funding they get and I would like to see changes to assist and leave these people in place for longer. In some cases, it may be the only job some of these people will ever get.

They see it as a job and it gives them a reason for getting up in the morning and go out. Most important, they do a fantastic job. Perhaps Deputy Ó Cuív may not agree with me but the rural social scheme is one of the best schemes ever set up. He was part of it.