Eileen Flynn (Independent)
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I thank the witnesses for coming before the committee. Their contributions on employment have been very interesting. I am interested to hear about how these schemes can empower disabled people to have choices and control over their own lives and the work they want to do after their experiences on the farms or taking part in the schemes. How have disabled people been able to secure paid jobs as a result of participating in these schemes? What percentage of people who participate in the schemes go on to paid employment compared with those who do not? What impact does it have on their chances of long-term employment and advancing their careers.

I will be extremely honest, and my comments are not personal. How people are treated in employment is something very close to my heart. To the best of my knowledge, and I know people who work in social farming, it is not a paid role. I am interested to hear more from the witnesses about how we could make it a paid role. How can we get support so that disabled people working on farms would be able to be supported financially? Ireland has the lowest rate of employment for disabled people in the EU. How can schemes such as those of the witnesses bring about systematic change for people with all types of impairment and disability? My questions are very general. I am really here to find out more about unpaid labour on farms.