Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)

I agree with the comments of the previous two speakers. People on community employment schemes might end up facing these cuts under the current structure of this Bill. It is bad enough as it is - scandalous - but that would be altogether outrageous. People on FÁS programmes might be caught in this net too and if that is the intention, the Government really has a lot to answer for.

I agree entirely with Deputy Hayes's comments regarding temporary and part-time teachers. There are other categories, but this is an excellent example of what is going on. I hope the Government will deal with this because it is a very important issue with people on very low incomes being hammered. If the Minister of State does not deal with it, will he at least make an effort to try to ensure that those Members of this House who will still hold teaching posts after one full term resign their positions and allow temporary teachers to gain full-time employment and access to pension entitlements, etc?

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