Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate the Minister’s reply and the fact he has seen the good works the rural social scheme and its workers have carried out down through the years. These are 2,600 diligent people who do not want to earn soft money at home. Instead, they want to work for what they earn. They have to be commended on the work. Visiting a community which has benefited from this gives the Minister a clear insight as to what has been carried out.

Will he look further into a rural and urban aspect to these schemes, particularly the CE scheme? I am inundated, as I presume are other Deputies, with requests from CE workers who want to continue working, earning very little but happy to do so. Unfortunately, they are being sent home, only to look out the window. It is not good for their physical or mental well-being. Whether it is a CE or a Tús scheme, a year-long scheme does not fit all situations. I would appreciate it if the Minister could examine it further.

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