Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I again thank Deputy Troy for raising this important issue and will make a number of points. First, the CE scheme operated by Moate Heritage Company is not terminating. I take the Deputy's point that these schemes provide valuable work. As I said in my initial response, there are 27 people on this particular scheme and they are making a positive contribution to their area. As I said earlier, a person in receipt of a disability payment is eligible for participation on a CE scheme for seven years, which is positive. I take the Deputy's point in regard to age, particularly those aged 55 and over. While the unemployment rate has decreased to 6%, we would like it to be at 3% because at that point we could tackle a lot of these issues.

In terms of my portfolio in the area of disabilities, there are 5,000 people with a disability on the wage subsidy scheme, WSS, under which the Government and the employing company each pay half the salary of the person with the disability. There are other initiatives under way in this space. On the Deputy's point on the need for reform, I will bring his concerns to the attention of the Minister, Deputy Regina Doherty.

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