Robert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour)

I agree with Deputy Patrick O'Donovan's comments on the very difficult situation in which community employment supervisors find themselves in regard to pension rights and so on. I hope the Government will consider that matter in due course. I commend the Minister for Social Protection on her achievement in reducing the cuts that were initially proposed to be imposed in her Department by more than €300 million. Nobody knows where those cuts might have fallen, but she certainly deserves credit for holding that line. In addition, it is to her great credit, at a time of substantial cuts in services across the board, that the budget for employment supports has increased from €822 million to €950 million. That is an important and welcome achievement.

I am a strong supporter of the work carried out by community employment schemes. Not only have they helped many people through training towards employment and greater self-development, they have also brought great benefits to communities throughout the State. That can be seen in a range of areas, whether through the provision of child care, supports for drug taskforces, the provision of meals on wheels, assistance to sporting organisations and so on. The ESRI has not sufficiently acknowledged this important social aspect of community employment schemes. I support the review of the schemes, but it is important that there is greater clarity in terms of the training that will be available for people as they seek to better themselves and find a way back to work.

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