Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome gach duine as fud na tíre, the supervisors and assistant supervisors who are the heroes of rural and urban communities. They look after people from the cradle to the grave, but where is the Minister? Tá sí as láithair, but they will not be as láithair when it comes to voting. They know what to do - wait in the long grass, trip and knock her and tell her where to go. Fine Gael was never interested in the little people and ordinary people. It was only interested in landowners with the big daffodils along boreens, trees and white gates. Those involved in community employment schemes have been excellent ambassadors. I am chairman of a scheme in Newcastle, County Tipperary and praise our supervisor, Mr. Seán Byrne. Supervisors need to be social workers and understand legislation on employment, health and safety and God knows what else. Things are fired at them, but they receive no support. They are the ones on the front line for those who complain and when people have mental health issues. They have to do everything and I salute them from the bottom of my heart. We would not have a country without them.

I have been asking successive Governments for decades about this issue. I have been involved since 1988. I have asked for an audit of the value of community employment schemes, all of which would stop, including those run by county councils, the HSE, the Department of Justice and Equality and Text Alert.

They are all run, supported and led by CE participants. I thank each and every one of them. The progression from our scheme has been 100%. I also thank the social welfare officials, the SOLAS officials and all the people involved.

To hell with Turas Nua; turas uafasach, an awful journey is what it is. It is just big business again, friends of Fine Gael who got this contract. This was brought in in England and we brought it in here.

People should stand up for what they are proud of. The Government should support these people, give them a pension and not make paupers of them. It is a disgrace that the Minister is not here.

See this speech in context