Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I recall the CE supervisor scheme that the Deputy is talking about. Many good suggestions were made during that call and we will take them away and consider them. I wish to be clear about one point. We always consider CE schemes as having a dual purpose. It is not only an employment and training opportunity but the schemes exist to provide a local community service as well - I wish to acknowledge that formally.

It is probably fair to say that the activation services of our local offices have been very much reduced in recent months. That has had an impact on the number of referrals to CE schemes. It is probably down to 30% at the moment. As the economy opens up, the service will reopen and more referrals will come from local Intreo offices. CE schemes are entitled to look for posts as well, but I acknowledge that it is like working with one arm tied behind one's back given the reduced Intreo capacity in recent months. Anyway, that will ramp up as time goes on and as the economy reopens.

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