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

I thank the Deputy. It has been a while since there was an increase in the top-up for CE. While we would all like to have more than €5 going on it that is what we got this year. We all would have preferred more.

I disagree vehemently with the assertion that CE is not fit for purpose. It is one of the most impactful and useful schemes for both individuals and communities across the country. Of all the schemes the Government supports, it is one of the best. It manages to perform two important functions. It gives people who are quite far from the labour market another option in life and opens up pathways to people who would not otherwise have a way into that market. At the same time, it provides, as the Deputy has acknowledged, essential and important community services. On the fundamentals of CE, it is one of the best schemes we have.

I acknowledge there are issues with it. I acknowledge we are having difficulties getting participants onto it. I would like to see better supports for CE participants in the future as well.

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