Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I will take one supplementary. I want to say that there is a significant need to expand this programme, to increase investment in it, and to expand the eligibility criteria.

If I can digress, an important role that local councillors have will be overseeing the implementation of these schemes. I have a concern, as the Minister and Minister of State are aware, with regard to the eligibility criteria of people who might want to be members of local authorities, specifically retained firefighters. The application of SI 216/2004 and Circular Letter LG(P) 06/09 is restrictive. It is not fair on retained firefighters. It has been applied differently in different local authorities. I have raised it with the Minister and Minister of State, and it is something we need to see progress on in the immediate future.

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