Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for coming before the House in order to clarify some issues that have arisen in respect of the eligibility criteria for existing participants on community employment schemes, which, I am informed, changed on 8 October last. I have been contacted by a number of schemes with regard to this matter and I am informed that in order to qualify for more than one year on a community employment scheme, participants over the ages of 35 and 55 are now required to have been signing on and in receipt of social welfare payments for three years or more prior to joining a scheme. These individuals could previously remain on schemes for three and six years, respectively. Perhaps the Minister will clarify the position in this regard.

Extended access to employment on these schemes for those over the age 55 was facilitated as a result of the difficulties which those in this cohort faced in the context of trying to secure alternative employment. It has been acknowledged that during the Celtic tiger era, those over 55 years of age experienced difficulties in securing employment. Surely it should be recognised that there are even fewer employment opportunities for them at present. There are major problems with regard to isolation in rural areas and there are very few job opportunities outside of agriculture for those in this age group. Community employment schemes are filling the void by providing meaningful employment that makes a real difference within communities. It makes no sense, therefore, to pull the plug - if that is actually what is happening - on some of these schemes in the middle of a recession.

I wish to refer to two schemes in particular, namely, the Kilrush youth services scheme and the St. John the Baptist community and development scheme in Ballyea, County Clare. However, I accept that there are other schemes which have either similar or other concerns. The schemes to which I refer were renewed last year on the understanding that the status quo would be maintained. The sponsors of the Kilrush scheme are debating whether it is feasible for the scheme to continue in light of the changes. I am informed that the scheme stands to lose 15 participants this year as opposed to five. This is in an area in which very few job opportunities exist. I have a constituency office in Kilrush and I am aware that the youth services scheme provides a lifeline for people in the town. Those on the scheme support the local community hospital and work to maintain the local graveyards, the parish hall and the church grounds. In conjunction with the tidy towns committee, they also see to the upkeep of Kilrush and Kilkee. Furthermore, they provide assistance to the west Clare cancer group.

The position with the St. John the Baptist development scheme in Ballyea is similar. I met representatives from the scheme on Monday last and was informed that out of a current complement of 22 workers, only five will remain in place at the end of January 2013. The majority of the workers on this scheme are over 55 and they are making an invaluable contribution to the local community. These individuals provide support to my parish, Ballynacally, and to the community in Ballyea. They also work with local amenity projects in maintaining the abbey and the graveyard in Killone. Those on the scheme support the community in Lissycasey. They played a pivotal role in the development of the Lissycasey Cascades Loop, a 3.7 km walk through a local area.

I am informed that if the schemes in question are wound down, a number of full-time employees who have given great services to the communities in the past will be affected. These people deserve recognition for their efforts. I am aware that the Minister is a great supporter of schemes of this type.

While I understand that changes to the eligibility criteria are driven by the desire to increase the number of opportunities for people to participate in community employment schemes, I am of the view that, if they proceed, people will be obliged to return to the live register at a time when few other employment opportunities exist.

The future of these schemes is threatened as the sponsor will find it difficult to replace existing workers. Time spent on community employment schemes no longer counts as eligibility for social welfare payments. A person who decides to accept a place on a community employment scheme may not have sufficient stamps at the end of a year to qualify for social welfare payment. In my view, this would be a disincentive to working on a community employment scheme. I ask the Minister to clarify the regulations governing these schemes.

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