Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)

I welcome the opportunity to discuss the eligibility criteria for community employment schemes. I thank the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this matter for discussion.

I recognise the major advances in community employment schemes since they were first introduced. They have a tremendous impact on communities in which they are operational and relevant. They provide a good source of labour for urban and rural community groups and are important in terms of assisting individuals to develop and hone their skills and return to work. The schemes are now recognised as a job-seekers' initiative and have removed the stigma associated with what was previously known as "the dole".

The advent of the rural social scheme has been effective. It is now part of our overall policy framework in terms of getting people back to work and recognising the importance of this work to communities. Both schemes work exceptionally well. The rural social scheme is good in that it does not include a definitive timeframe for participation. This comes into play only when others are seeking to come on to the scheme, which is not the case in many rural areas. The rural social scheme also requires that a participant have a herd number.

A difficulty has arisen in respect of community employment schemes. These schemes which provide meaningful employment and training have been useful and helpful in terms of developing skills for the construction sector, which has been going through a boom and required additional staff. Community employment schemes provided valuable training in block laying, stonework and carpentry. They have been hugely beneficial in rural areas in terms of landscaping, graveyard maintenance and the upkeep of community areas. In urban areas, the community employment schemes are useful in providing support to the disability sector. They are a great resource for many of the social inclusion groups working to develop and resolve some of the issues in this area. They have also been useful in providing much needed staff to assist the development of communities in built-up areas. These schemes benefit not only communities but the participants.

A difficulty arises in respect of people aged 55 years. Amendments have been made to the scheme to allow a person aged over 55 years to participate in a scheme for an additional three years or, for a person in receipt of a disability payment, an additional four years. A person who at age 55 years commences employment on a community employment scheme for the first time is permitted under existing criteria to participate in that scheme for six years. However, in the current economic environment of a contracting labour market, these people on reaching 61 years of age will encounter difficulties in obtaining suitable or gainful employment in their local area. There may be employment available in other parts of the country but people who have settled in rural areas will not travel or uproot their families and move to a larger town or city where work might be available.

I hope the Minister will re-examine the criteria to allow people aged 60 or 61 years to participate in a community employment scheme until they reach retirement age. I am aware of a number of cases involving people who have only one year remaining before they reach retirement age and who because of the six year cap must return to the job-seeker's allowance. This is soul destroying for people who are providing a good service to the community and who want to make a contribution for the payment they receive. I do not believe the cost of such cases will be overly burdensome on the State. I appeal to the Minister to re-examine this issue, perhaps as part of an overall review of the scheme, for the benefit of individuals and communities.

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