Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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In recent years the Tidy Towns has put in Trojan work in making villages and, indeed, Ireland look a better place, especially for tourists. I know more people are back at work throughout the country, which is welcome. We have to bear in mind, however, that those communities voluntarily put in a massive effort, week in, week out, to keep their village or town in pristine condition. The aid of community employment, Tús and the rural social scheme has brought great benefits in regard to making all of those villages look better through the work that is done, and Ireland would not look as good if this work were not done. Unfortunately, in the past year, while it is a sign that more people are getting work, which we appreciate, some schemes now have to pay people to cut the grass and do other jobs, which they do not have the money for, as the Minister of State will know, given where he is from.

I spoke to the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Deputy Regina Doherty, before Christmas and she told me the Department would consider various measures. I know that people can go on Tús or a CE scheme through Seetec, but we need to look outside that. We need to make sure that if there is no replacement for a person, that person is left in place until the replacement is found. Otherwise, a village will be left without help. In addition, we should make a call and let people over 55 continue. If I get a job somewhere, I will go to it, but people should be given the opportunity to stay on a scheme because there are villages which are struggling at the moment to keep on top of things, whether painting, cleaning or cutting grass. Despite the great voluntary efforts these communities have made, from Donegal right down to the Minister of State's area, and from Dublin to Connemara, this is being undermined due to what is happening.