Frank Feighan (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Fahey. Fifteen years ago, as secretary of a local soccer club in Boyle, I came to this House to meet the Minister who was very courteous. He was also very generous in that he gave us a sports grant which enabled us to construct football pitches, dressing rooms, etc. That grant helped our football club but the club would not have survived over the past ten years without the various community employment and FÁS schemes, and those schemes are mirrored throughout the country in terms of football pitches, community centres, etc. They have provided many benefits including health care assistants, community care staff, child care places, etc. They have also helped people to obtain full employment.

To say these schemes are not important is pure folly. Senator Leyden is a good friend of mine but he knows that the people on the ground in Boyle, County Roscommon, do not agree that a reduction in these schemes will benefit rural Ireland. Senator White articulated the point with fairness and compassion. That should be the approach to the people in disadvantaged areas.

A man who is participating in these schemes came to see me because he was very concerned. He told me they provided him with a sense of pride and self-confidence. People in Boyle, a town bordering rural Ireland, are coming to see me with a view to getting on these schemes. I appeal to the Minister to keep these schemes in operation because they are vital to the viability of all rural areas.