Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I would welcome the opportunity to meet the Minister, Deputy Humphreys. She is a Minister for whom I have great regard and she understands the situation.

While Department officials are looking at this, people are getting notice to go off the schemes. I know of one particular gentleman who has been told that he will finish the scheme in March and then he has to go back to his Intreo office. He has six months left in his working life before he gets the pension. It would be more prudent for that man to remain on the scheme for the sake of the scheme, as well as for the sake of the community.

My last question to the Tánaiste relates to the supervisors of these schemes. They are the leaders in the communities. The Tánaiste is well aware of the position from his time as Minister in the Department of Social Protection. These supervisors have an issue going back a long time relating to pensions and pension rights. I understand from the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Michael McGrath, that some negotiations have gone on. I would like to know when they might be concluded in order that we show respect to these supervisors and give them equality in terms of benefits and payments.

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