Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for taking time out of her busy schedule to deal with this matter. The issue I raise is the community employment scheme and the current rules that apply. The particular one I raise is where someone has reached 66 years of age and he or she is no longer entitled to continue on in the community employment scheme. There is a problem now in community employment schemes around the country. At least seven or eight community associations have contacted me. They have people who are very good but they are retiring. In one case, the person has reached 66 years of age while in other cases it is because the people have fulfilled the three year time period and they are not entitled to renew it because they are under 60 years of age. We are concerned because these are community associations that are providing a very valuable service to the local community in all sorts of ways. The person who had reached 66 years of age was a chef and was providing meals for elderly people in the community a number of days a week but it is not possible to get someone to replace him. Many community associations are not able to get people to replace those who are retiring.

I ask for a review of this position. We are extending the time a person can stay working in the public service after the retirement age but we have not made the same facility available to people who are employed under a community employment scheme. Can a review be undertaken and can we make the necessary amendments to accommodate these voluntary organisations that are providing a very valuable service?