Róisín Garvey (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

From my experience of community employment schemes and how they operate in my home constituency, on an annual basis each CE manager decides the programme of work for the CE scheme workers. Can the scheme take into account biodiversity and climate issues? I ask because many of the schemes involve spraying Roundup on weeds, cutting lawns and maintaining green spaces, which is great but I want them to move towards creating aesthetically pleasing spaces that protect people's mental health and are good for the environment and biodiversity. Greater linkage is necessary because money is being wasted on mowing lawns, pruning trees and cutting hedges. If we let things grow a bit wilder then it would be a win-win for everybody and save money.

In terms of CE schemes, I have been asked by quite a few farmers' wives if their husbands could join their local CE schemes because they are going mad being at home. Some farmers have moved away from farming and have very little to do yet it seems they do not qualify to participate on CE schemes. Their wives have begged me to arrange for their husbands to be allowed to participate on the schemes for a day or two per week. Has the Minister of State considered that option? Many people in rural Ireland experience loneliness and boredom, particularly farmers who live on their own or just with their wives and have no neighbours around. These farmers would love to join their local CE schemes as it would bring them into towns or villages where they could have a chat with the lads. Participation in a CE scheme is another way of integrating as opposed to just going to the pub, which we do not have at the moment. I urge the Minister of State to expand the scheme. As has been said, the voluntary sector is so valuable and these people are happy to do more work.