Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)

I also support the Sinn Féin motion. These cuts are a very bad idea. The Ferns community employment scheme contacted me shortly after the cuts were announced. They were upset and scared that their scheme will not survive if the cuts are implemented.

Community employment schemes have much more to offer than they are being given credit for. Most of their participants are job seekers. They want training. They do not want to be idle or lying in bed in the morning.

The Government says its main priority is jobs. It is odd that the Government would cut an area like this if it is really concerned about jobs. These people are looking to improve their employability. Apart from improving their job prospects, to be involved in a CE scheme and in much needed work in a local area improves a person's sense of worth and well-being. This has an added social effect. The social aspect of community employment is not taken sufficiently into consideration. There is a huge social payback.

The contrary is also true. If we do not have schemes like this we will create more social problems. The cost to the State will be all the greater in the long term.

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