Mr. Gabriel Kearney:

On the sponsor side, the idea that the Deputy had would be brilliant. Much of the time we hear about the traditional work that participants do, such as cutting grass and carrying out maintenance. This relates to only one cohort. Normally, it involves those aged over 50 or 55, who have almost completed their working lives. While it is said such a person can get a job at 60, the chances are that he or she will not. As a society, we have to come to that conclusion. CE, as we have it, involves the cohort in question; however, if we want it to grow and benefit society and the community, we have to start considering different areas. The one mentioned by the Deputy is huge. We are involved in the sports clubs; the sponsors are already there. As Ms Rohan alluded to, if we had on our scheme an employee who could go into the schools but also train the under-12s or others, it would bring kids along who might otherwise drop out. This is because he would have them twice per week. He could see them in the schools and talk to the principal and say Johnny is not coming. He could talk to the child in a caring sense in the school and then bring him to the club. Without this, the clubs are dying.

For sponsors to get these types of initiatives onto the courses we are allowed to have is sometimes very difficult. It is in this regard that I would love the members of the committee to ask what is needed for it to happen. We can keep cutting grass forever but it is not bringing what we can do into play. It is a question of inviting younger people in to train for two or three years and then progress their careers. We would all benefit from that. We should consider further the benefits on both sides, namely the benefits to society and, more important, the individual. It is a matter of everyone winning from it.