Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As I stated at the outset, representations have been made to me by CE host companies and the Irish Local Development Network, ILDN, over the past year. They needed more people to ensure the viability of the services and supports they offered to the people on the schemes and the communities they supported. That is why we made the change.

The Deputy may be under the wrong impression that JobPath providers stopped people from joining CE and Tús schemes. People were simply not allowed to do so under the programme. We do not allow people to be on two schemes simultaneously. It was probably because we had too many people on the unemployment register at one point that this was not possible. Thankfully, the number of people on the register is now dropping, which is why we were able to make the change last week. If the number ever increases again, though, we will have to reconsider that.

I share the Deputy's view on the age limitations. I have been working on this matter since I was lucky enough to be placed in this role last year. I have been unsuccessful so far, but I have another magic ace up my sleeve, so we might discuss the issue again.

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