Michael Conaghan (Dublin South Central, Labour)

I commend Sinn Féin for tabling the motion because it gives all of us an opportunity to reflect on and discuss key aspects of community life.

I want to refer to community employment, CE, schemes. Recently, I listened to a very harsh critique of the value of CE schemes from a senior figure in the ESRI. I was very surprised by this individual's dismissive and disparaging comments and assessment of CE schemes. The ESRI is an influential body with the ear of policy-makers. For this reason, its personnel have a responsibility to get out of their offices and into the community to familiarise themselves with the real value of CE schemes before passing judgment.

If the ESRI were to take this approach, it would discover just how valuable a role CE schemes play. It would find that entire swathes of community infrastructure, community centres, crèches, buildings and halls are kept open for use through the presence of CE schemes. The importance of CE schemes extends far beyond infrastructure. CE schemes respond to many community needs through meals on wheels services and services for the elderly, crèches and schools. In many communities, including mine, CE schemes are now the bedrock of the infrastructure and is a crucial resource.

Alongside these valuable services, the ESRI would also find that CE scheme participants are offered a path of self-development and self-realisation. Through the educational element of CE schemes, many have received a second chance in education, and discovered an urge for learning, and a realisation they can succeed at learning. This can and does enrich lives. In my community, people who participate in the educational element of the CE scheme and gain access to college walk much taller and youngsters see them as role models in the community. It is hard to put a value or price on this but it is very important.

Therefore, I challenge the ESRI to evaluate properly the CE scheme rather than offer us its perceived value. We must move forward and re-imagine the CE schemes for a new generation and new economic circumstances, and as part of a strong social economy. To do this, we need a proper evaluation of CE schemes-----

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