John Paul Phelan (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister of State to the House. Contrary to what he said at the outset, perhaps there is hope that in future Ireland could host the Olympics. A few years ago, one of my own party colleagues raised this issue when he was lord mayor of Dublin. We should never say "Never" as regards such matters.

Turning to my Adjournment matter, I seek the removal of the existing three-year cap on community employment schemes. I expect that in his response the Minister of State will outline the existing situation whereby people can extend that period to six years if they are over a particular age limit. However, there is a strong case to be made for the complete removal of the cap. Senators are involved in various community activities and will be familiar with the role of community employment schemes in providing important services. Many local voluntary organisations would not be able to function properly were it not for the efforts of people working on community employment schemes. The schemes provide a level of self-esteem and self-confidence for participants who might otherwise be unemployed. A small amount of money is involved in running these schemes over and above what would be spent by the Government on social welfare payments to such people if they were not participating in the schemes.

Numerous studies and surveys have highlighted that people over the age of 50 have more difficulty gaining employment. If their skills range is not wide, this difficulty can be exacerbated. For example, a man aged 63 years in my locality has served six years on a community employment scheme and he has been asked to leave, which is ridiculous. He will reach retirement age in two years and he has provided a valuable service in the local community. It would cost the Government virtually nothing to retain him on the scheme but he has been told he must leave.

The current system is too rigid. The Government is all about encouraging people to become more involved in their local communities and voluntary organisations but many of these organisations would not function properly without the effort, help and support of CE schemes. That may not have been the original intention behind them but they play a vital role and it is important that the Government and the Minister of State should acknowledge this reality. The prospect of future employment for people aged over 55 years who are on these schemes is limited. A compelling case can be made for the abolition of the current cap.