Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

They have huge difficulty now because the pool of available participants is being squeezed by both sides. On one side there has been an increase in employment opportunities, and that is extremely welcome, but on the other side changes were made to the eligibility criteria for the scheme in April 2017. This is placing a huge burden on participants and many of the schemes. It is putting the long-term viability of many of the schemes in doubt. Just because JobBridge has been introduced and somebody has been moved off the Live Register and onto JobBridge does not necessarily mean the person will be able to get a job. There are people on these schemes who, for whatever reason, perhaps because of their age or an ability or disability issue, cannot go back into the workforce. What we are telling them now is they are no longer any good or qualified for participation in society. I will give an example. In recent weeks, Moate amenity and heritage park has lost five participants. The local newspaper described it as a devastating blow to the park and rural Ireland. The loss of five employees at a key tourism facility in Moate is a devastating blow according to a local community activist and member of the management committee. The workers have completed their length of service with the scheme and no extension is in sight. They have no option but to vacate their positions. An emotional participant who was interviewed stated he had been there for the past four years and had loved every minute of it. He said his dignity and pride have been taken away. I will not give his name. It is not about the money, it is about feeling part of something.

I understand the group met the then Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Leo Varadkar, who is now Taoiseach. He gave cast-iron guarantees that reforms were under way on eligibility for people on community employment schemes. This has simply not happened. As I said, the future viability of many of these schemes is under threat.

My colleague, Deputy Willie O'Dea, has produced a Bill that would tackle this issue. I understand the Minister of State is here representing his colleague the Minister, Deputy Regina Doherty. Will he give a cast-iron guarantee the Government will take note and acknowledge that changes need to be brought about, and acknowledge the significant contribution that community employment schemes make the length and breadth of the country in urban and rural Ireland?

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