Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein)

Ba mhaith liom tacú leis an méid atá ráite ag mo chomhleacaí, an Seanadóir Barrett, maidir le Bille na Gaeltachta agus maidir leis an gceist faoi thoghchán Údarás na Gaeltachta. Tá an ceart ar fad aige faoin cheart atá ag muintir na Gaeltachta vóta a chaitheamh i dtoghchán Údarás na Gaeltachta agus tá súil agam go dtabharfar aghaidh ar sin sula dtiocfaidh an Bille ar aghaidh arís. Ba mhaith liom freisinfáilte a chur roimh an cinneadh an-stairiúil agus an-mhisniúil atá glactha ag Ard Chomairle Shinn Féin go gcasfaidh Martin McGuinness le Banríon Shasana amárach agus guím gach rath orthu sa mhéid sin. Fáiltím freisin roimh na teachtaireachtaí eile atá ag teacht ón bpobal ar fad, nó an chuid is mó dóibh, sa Tuaisceart ag cur fáilte roimh an cruinniú seo. Tá súil againn go mbogfaidh sé cúrsaí chun cinn agus ceapaim go gcuirfeadh chuile Sheanadóir sa Teach seo fáilte roimh sin.

Yesterday a number of Senators attended an interesting presentation in Galway which was given by representatives of community employment schemes across the county. It was a positive way of dealing with their worries about cutbacks to the schemes. They presented information on their work, which covers such a broad area it would take too long to go into. Will the Leader clarify when the review of the report on community employment schemes is to be published? In conjunction with this, if it is to be published before the recess, can we have a debate on the value of the schemes across the country? We need to be able to discuss the points raised with us yesterday, including the fact that capital grants are to be cut. Training grants are also to be cut for those participating in schemes. This is a retrograde step and we hope it will be reversed based on the review. This is an important issue, particularly at a time when we are seeing increasing numbers of unemployed persons and in view of the great value we get from community employment schemes across a wide range areas, including the upkeep of civic amenities and the servicing of youth facilities and facilities for older people. It is important that we recognise the work done by the schemes. We need to have a debate on this issue as soon as possible.