Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I absolutely agree with Deputy Canney that the value of the work done by people on CE schemes is extraordinary. I remember the day we visited Caherlistrane together in County Galway and saw some of the phenomenal work being done. That is replicated in communities, urban and rural, throughout Ireland.

The Minister, Deputy Humphreys, and the Minister of State, Deputy Joe O'Brien, who has delegated responsibility for CE schemes, had a constructive meeting with a delegation from CE schemes from across the country only two weeks ago. The meeting included representatives from Galway and the western region. We understand that several different issues were raised at the meeting, including the issues being experienced by some schemes in respect of people over 55 years of age. The Minister, Deputy Humphreys, has asked her officials to take on board the different points raised at that meeting and to come back to her with a set of proposals on how we can make these schemes work better for the benefit of everyone. The Minister, Deputy Humphreys, has also indicated to me that she would be happy to meet Deputy Canney and discuss the matter with him further. As the Minister for Rural and Community Development as well as for Social Protection, she recognises the vital work many CE schemes carry out in rural communities throughout the country. If there are issues causing difficulty, she wants to work with everyone to resolve them.

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