Ciarán Cannon (Progressive Democrats)

It is not trickling through to families that are suffering such levels of indebtedness. We learned from the Monageer report yesterday that one such family's level of indebtedness was a major factor in driving them to taking the sort of tragic action they did. Second, it most certainly is not trickling down to the businesses that need it. I argue that every cent that has been invested thus far is being used simply to shore up the balance accounts of these institutions and nothing else.

The issue raised by Senator Quinn whereby civic-minded jobseekers might volunteer their time, energy and efforts towards working to improve their local communities and facilities therein is a very laudable aspiration that I wish to see come to fruition. However, a number of weeks ago some such civic-minded people in my community offered their services to the local county council. They wished to enter an area that is used by our children, cut the grass, tidy it up and prepare it for what hopefully will be a good summer season. However, they were told that such activity simply could not be allowed by the local authority because they would not be covered by insurance. Were one of them to so much as cut a finger, major issues would arise. I ask whatever Minister is responsible, which may be the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Gormley, to consider the possibility of establishing a form of global national insurance policy, which has been done in other countries and which would allow people who, quite correctly, wish to spend some of their time in helping their local communities to be covered by such a policy. This would not cost a lot of money in the greater scheme of things and it is a measure that certainly should be explored to ascertain what avenues are open in respect of getting such work done.