Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 14 October 2020

Select Committee on Social Protection

Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 42 – Rural and Community Development, and the Islands (Further Revised)

Photo of Joe CareyJoe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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The community services programme is essential. It was capped and one does not hear of any new programmes being announced. Has the Minister of State any view on that? Would he consider expanding the programme? Work was done on it last year but I want to get the Minister of State's view on it. More communities could benefit from it through social enterprise. We have a wonderful example in County Clare, Obair in Newmarket on Fergus. It has provided wonderful meals on wheels services during the Covid crisis. It cooks and delivers meals. If that social enterprise could be replicated in other parts of County Clare, though not necessarily meals on wheels, it would give other communities a chance to have that type of activity.