Michael Mullins (Fine Gael)

I would like to ask two brief questions. The Minister referred in his speech to the ongoing discussions he is having with trade unions, etc., with a view to possibly being able to extend the range of activity and type of work that can be done under community employment schemes and what used to be known as FÁS schemes. Local authorities used to look after many activities but, as a result of reductions in resources and manpower, they are no longer in a position to do so. Many of the schemes to which I refer could be used in a cost-effective and imaginative way to improve the quality of life in communities. I hope the issues the trade unions have in that regard can be resolved.

The Minister has spoken about the realignment of local government and local development. The local development companies employ significant numbers of people. Does the Minister envisage that the people employed in those companies will become employees of the local authority when such a realignment takes place?