Ms Bríd O'Brien:

Community employment schemes, Tús schemes and rural social schemes can play an important role in addressing the issue the Deputy has just raised and they are important in terms of helping people to engage with the wider community. It is about how the system engages with people and gives them the opportunity to have that engagement, as well as to support people. There are men's sheds around the country that are there for people who are unemployed and other community organisations where people can meet and discuss issues. Supporting those spaces is very important so people can discuss and address their own issues and engage in an activity. For men, engaging in an activity seems to be a key part of it, and the issues flow through that. That type of work is going on and continuing to support it is important. To further those supports would be welcome.