Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for her response. In outlining the role of the CE and Tús schemes, the Minister indicates that the Government does not see them as sustainable pathways for people on their own and that her primary focus in relation to their objective is entirely towards placing people back in employment. While that is a key objective, we also have to recognise the tremendous role which these schemes, and those who work on them, carry out in communities, whether it be in community associations, Tidy Towns groups, crèches, soccer clubs or GAA clubs. In many ways, those who contribute to their community through a participation in a CE or Tús scheme help make communities tick and help make sustainable communities. It is important we recognise that.

It is also important we recognise that it is appropriate that some, particularly those who are reaching the end of their working life but who are also reaching the limit in terms of their participation in Tús or CE schemes, be allowed to continue to contribute to the community and that the guillotine simply does not come down and leave them in a situation where they are blocked from further participation in a scheme and contributing to their community and also not in a position to get employment. We need to review the position in that regard.

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