Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The community employment programme, rural social scheme and Tús initiative are highly beneficial and much good work has been done under them. I ask that the Minister investigate differences in the manner in which the rules governing the schemes are applied in different areas. I hope the review will address the need to retain participants on the schemes.

The Minister of State indicated that participation in the community employment programme can vary from one to seven years based on age and qualifying eligibility. There is a significant difference between one and seven years and I do not know of many people who have spent seven years in community employment.

I stress the benefits of community employment to local areas and individual participants. As the Minister of State noted, schemes also provide an element of training which is also of significant benefit. I hope the Minister will do everything in her power to ensure the maximum number of people are employed on community employment schemes. A flexible approach must be taken to the rural social scheme, Tús and community employment. When communities identify projects, whether for water schemes, amenities that come under the Tidy Towns competition or, for example, an extension to a graveyard, these should be given priority by the Department.

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