Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)

I accept the point about closing down facilities, but I did not mention this in the series of questions posed. I spoke about the cut of 66.6% in funding for many community employment schemes. Does the Tánaiste accept that this cut will result in a loss of services for those on low wages, the unemployed, people with disabilities and older persons? This is not part of our imagination. Does the Tánaiste accept what the Northside Centre for the Unemployed in Coolock indicated yesterday in stating it was "appalled at the proposed savage budget cuts to the funding for community employment projects by way of a 66.6% cut for training and materials"? The centre provides an excellent service on the northside of Dublin. Does the Tánaiste accept that this cut will have the effect of community employment projects being unable to afford to provide basic work health and safety training for participants, which is mandatory under health and safety legislation? This is even before we get to progression-based training which participants need to undertake to move into mainstream employment. The community employment scheme acts as an active labour market programme. Will it be able to function without the funds necessary to provide access to quality training for participants?

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