Marie Moloney (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his very detailed reply. I am delighted to see the groups under consideration for expansion of the service.If the Minister of State or the Minister, Deputy Joan Burton, are not in their positions in the period ahead, I hope this will be continued by whoever will have responsibility for it because it is vital that people such as women in the home or dependent adults in receipt of a payment have an opportunity to get back into the workforce.

It is also welcome that people with disabilities are being looked after. I have always advocated that just because a person has a disability does not mean he or she cannot work. I am delighted that that is the case.

The extension of the community employment scheme to people in their golden years went down very well with them. They are thrilled about this and I hope the scheme will be expanded further.

This may be my last chance to raise the issue, about which I have been harping on for quite some time. I thank the Minster of State for his reply and hope what he outlined will come to fruition.