Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

I could lose my job but I am a democrat. It is important to support those who need employment and assistance. We must continue to ensure the system operates in a sympathetic manner when people need services or assistance, while also ensuring it is not left open to being abused. It is always necessary to tweak the system.

Reference was made to FÁS, which has a first class facility in the Cookstown industrial estate in Tallaght. While it does a superb job, it must do more to assist those who are unemployed and face challenges. As the Minister noted, such people need special help.

We need to take a different approach to community employment schemes, which have evolved considerably over a long period. I was contacted during the week by a person of 45 years of age who was told it would not be possible to extend participation on a community employment scheme until the person reaches 55 years. The new difficulties we have must be given special consideration and I hope common sense will prevail in our approach to these issues. Looking at television all day, Barack Obama reminds us that it is a time to change and evolve and respond to the needs of people. He said something very interesting this morning, which I will continue to bring to all my work. He said, "I will listen to you, especially where we disagree". As far as these policies are concerned, that is important.

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