Ulick Burke (Fine Gael)

There is confusion over the information the Minister, Deputy Harney, is making available to the Minister of State. An article in The Irish Independent of 5 October entitled, "Lone Parents Set To Suffer Most From Work Scheme Cuts", stated that a confidential report from an internal FÁS review group highlighted moves to cut a further 10,000 placements on community employment schemes. That is in addition to the places already lost this year. The report also stated that the possibility was raised in ongoing budgetary discussions that it might be necessary to implement greater reductions in community employment schemes than had already been considered. The Minister of State does not seem to be aware of that internal FÁS review which states that serious cutbacks in the scheme will be announced tomorrow.

It is amazing that Government Members said that even if there were 15 participants in a scheme, seven could do the work now. That suggests that the remaining eight are not participating in the scheme. There cannot be any other interpretation. That is a derogatory statement, particularly given the wonderful work done by everyone who has participated in community employment schemes over the years. What would have happened in many villages and small towns without the contribution of FÁS schemes?