Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will ask about community employment, CE, schemes. A lady who is a cancer survivor took a place on a CE scheme because she could not find part-time work. She was on disability allowance before taking up the scheme and her spouse was also on disability allowance. She has now been asked to do a means test. She was very upset the other day and said to me that she would not have taken the position if she had known. If her welfare payment is reduced, she will have to leave the scheme. She is doing well and she loves the scheme. There is a barrier there. What can we do as she is doing so well and enjoys the scheme? This is a real concern for her and I believe there are others like her.

See this speech in context