Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Mr. McKeon's Department has not done this. In his opening statement, he made a point that I agree with and for which I respect him. He said the Department "recognise[d] the value of non-market activity". He gave examples such as caring and home-making. I would give the example of these schemes and the community employment schemes. This society could not function without it. The reason I stopped complimenting Mr. McKeon was that he went on to talk about work as being very important, while not mentioning this as work. He spoke about this as a preparation for work. In my opinion, the community employment schemes involve absolutely invaluable work. All over this country, co-operatives are functioning because of that, although just about. I ask the witness to look at that again and to sit with the various organisations. We have had the privilege to do so on Comhchoiste na Gaeilge, na Gaeltachta agus na nOileán. Thaistil muid tríd an dtír agus is é an rud i gcónaí ná go bhfuil easpa foirne ann de bharr SeeTec agus Turas Nua. They are telling us. There is a disconnect, a cognitive dissonance or something going on here. I am going to park the matter and ask Mr. McKeon to come back to those concerns.