Rónán Mullen (Independent)

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. Tá go leor sa Bhille seo a d'fhéadfainn fáilte a chur roimhe. Molaim an méid oibre atá ar siúl ag an Aire agus an cur chuige atá aige agus é ag dul i mbun oibre. There is much that is welcome in this Bill. The transfer of certain functions from FÁS to the care of the Minister and his office is welcome. I note and welcome the skills development and internship programme, which is an enterprise led initiative. It is appropriate that we focus on people who are at least three months unemployed and enable them to participate in placements with host organisations and to undergo significant education and training. The Government is making 5,000 places available for that programme.

While speaking of FÁS, I would also like to refer to Tús. It seems that going from "growth" to "beginning" says something about our economic position and suggests we are starting again. Tús, the community work placement, is welcome and it is worth noting some of its key features. These should be supported, especially the provision of short-term, quality and suitable working opportunities for people who are unemployed which will allow them do good work in their communities. I noted what the Minister said about the complexities in allowing people to receive social welfare while being involved in voluntary and community work. This sort of work is a social commitment which was lacking during the boom. People wondered whether people had lost sight of community realities. Now, sadly, owing to force majeure, many people will have or will require such opportunities to re-engage with community life and this work will be a means of facilitating their journey back to the world of work.

It is important this community work will have both an urban and rural focus agus tá sé tábhachtach agus ciallmhar go mbeidh Údarás na Gaeltachta i bhfeighil Tús sna Gaeltachtaí. It is also important that the role of the local development companies is underlined as it is they that will take the lead role in identifying community organisations that will be involved. When we think of this kind of local work, two things spring to mind. First, we think how important this work is, and we are all aware of the benefits within our communities of the good work that has been done by those on FÁS programmes and courses over the years. This work is very visible, especially in my part of the country. When people think of FÁS, they think of that positive aspect of what has been done. However, people are also very aware of the potential for waste and duplication. The Minister stated that one of the criteria for the selection of projects would be that existing commercial activity would not be displaced or duplicated. People should also keep an eye on quality, ensure the contribution to communities is meaningful and that the voluntary concept is supported.

I noted what the Minister had to say about the relationship with social welfare payments and the appeals mechanism to the social welfare appeals office where payments were reduced or terminated unreasonably. We should pay tribute to the local development companies for the support they provide for rural development, social inclusion and enterprise and employment measures. The Minister is allocating a sum of €30 million in 2011. There is little doubt that the money will be taken up, but the question arises of providing minor sums for local development companies for the provision of materials. I understand the emphasis is on ensuring payments to the maximum number of people, but cad é stair na ceiste seo? An mbíonn dóthain acmhainní ag na heagraíochtaíáitiúla chun an bun ábhar a chur ar fáil le haghaidh an obair?