Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his response, but it was splitting hairs. The communities on the ground do not see a major difference between the schemes. The Department and various agencies do not see a difference when they ask people to work with the other organisations that have been mentioned.

According to the Minister of State, he is "aware that the work of supervisors and participants is greatly valued". If so, would he mind asking his relevant ministerial colleagues why they have not engaged with the Workplace Relations Commission, WRC, on the issues that have been raised by the supervisors? One would assume that, if they were so valued, the Department would at least sit down at the WRC. If everything in the Department's response is correct, surely the WRC would find in its favour and it should have no fear in that regard. At least the supervisors would have closure on these issues. Will the Minister of State convey to his colleagues that they should engage with the WRC as a matter of urgency to bring that closure?