Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I accept that the roles are not the same. This is being dealt with as a separate line item. I apologise if I am misunderstanding the position. It is not a deliberate misrepresentation but may be a misunderstanding. Perhaps that can be clarified. Before I come back to that issue, I first want to address the point that this is very important work regardless of slight differences or whatever. It is invaluable in providing community supports in every county in the State. People who are close to the rural social scheme and Tús are concerned they will lose or be unable to attract staff. That is also a challenge with community employment.

I wish to clarify this. Am I to understand that even if the two Departments are not necessarily on the same page, the Department of Social Protection has advanced some sort of document or proposal to the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform for its consideration? Notwithstanding whether the latter is in agreement with that or not, has some sort of document been communicated? Will the Minister of State clarify that? When is the meeting that was due on 21 November likely to take place?

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