Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree with the Deputy that CE schemes are very valuable and that the people who work on them make a significant contribution in their own communities across the country. However, it is important to acknowledge that those employed in CE schemes are not employees of the State and, therefore, the pension arrangements that would apply to employees of the State do not apply in the case of CE schemes. The Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform has outlined the reasoning behind that on more than one occasion.

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