David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the great work done by the Government. We are beyond full employment. This is what I have been hearing recently. I have heard commentators use this phrase. As communities find it difficult to recruit new community employment candidates to sustain their work, do we need to think differently about the role? Do we need to think about it in a different way, potentially with longer-term placements as an outlet for social prescribing to engage talent not deemed part of the labour force? Perhaps we could increase the age. All of us are living longer and we are fitter. When people reach the age of 66 very often they can contribute to their community but they are not allowed to take part in community employment schemes. We know what an issue loneliness is. I understand the UK has a Minister for loneliness.

I recently saw reports about how Ireland has one of the highest rates of loneliness in the world. Perhaps by increasing the age limit and allowing those beyond pension age to take part in CE schemes, it would allow people to get involved and would provide the workers that are needed, seeing as the Minister of State has acknowledged there is a shortage of workers.

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