Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome all of the people who have come from all around the country to be here. It is a disgrace that the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection has not done them the courtesy of being present. They face a long journey back to different parts of the country. Wherever the Minister is, it is a disgrace that she and others are not here to do the people in question the courtesy of listening to the debate. I thank Deputy Willie O'Dea and Fianna Fáil for bringing forward this very important motion.

I will highlight one aspect of the issue. An individual wrote a letter to the Minister. For more than 50 years he worked professionally and as a volunteer at local and national level in non-statutory organisations providing services and supports for people with special needs and their families. Killarney community employment scheme was established more than 25 years ago, initially under FÁS but is currently administered by the Department. This is an example of what is happening with every other scheme in all parts of County Kerry and the country. Like most community employment schemes throughout the country, Killarney community employment scheme has been of great benefit to hundreds of participants, local communities and organisations. Hundreds of participants have secured employment through community employment schemes. Killarney community employment scheme has a very high success rate for progression to either further training or employment. A recent audit showed a 100% progression rate in the previous 12 months. The supervisor, Mr. Michael Brosnan, who is present is due to retire in June after more than 24 years of sterling service. He will leave without a pension, the same as many more who are present, and with no entitlements other than the contributory State pension. That is neither fair nor equitable and is morally unjustifiable. although Michael has worked as a public servant for 24 years in all but name, he has been treated very differently from public servants employed by the State. His contract of employment is with Killarney community employment scheme. As such, he is deemed not to be a public servant, which is a disgrace. It is wrong to see people being beggared. They should receive that to which they are entitled and they should get it now.

I again thank Fianna Fáil for bringing forward this important motion.

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