Community employment is not merely important for the individual to whom it gives an opportunity to train and return to the workforce. The schemes are also important for the community. These are real jobs in the real economy which, if they are displaced, will not be done by anyone else. Twenty years ago people did this sort of work voluntarily, but they are not doing it now. The voluntary capacity to do jobs for nothing no longer exists and people expect to be paid for the work they do. If community employment jobs disappear key tasks in many areas will not be done. Community centres will close and pre-school facilities and services for the elderly will disappear. In recent years we have taken an enlightened approach to this issue. We have recognised the need for subsidised employment because of the reduction in the number of people volunteering in their communities. Key jobs have been done by participants in schemes and by their supervisors.