Seán Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)

As time is limited and a significant number of amendments have been tabled, I do not intend to say too much on this amendment. As amendments Nos. 1 and 2 are related, I will make a much wider contribution when the second of them is moved.

The main problem in addressing the problem of poverty is to discover how to get people into education and work. In this context, the principle we wish to promote involves dealing with the earnings disregard. As long as there is an impediment to the realisation of the aspirations of the people who wish to enter education and the workplace, we will have a major problem. Community employment schemes provide education and work. While I acknowledge that a disregard of €60 per week has been provided, people on social employment schemes are still not eligible for rent supplement. It is a significant matter which must be considered in the context of the operation of the schemes. I look forward to hearing the Minister's response. Together, we must ensure that impediments to work are dealt with positively.

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