Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I wish to raise the question of the community employment, CE, supervisors pension scheme. The Cathaoirleach will be aware there was a Labour Court recommendation in 2008. This has been the subject of a long-running series of discussions. I am aware the Minister, Deputy Michael McGrath, is due to meet representatives of the supervisors next week. I am hopeful that we will finally be able to reach agreement. Many of these CE supervisors have been working for a long number of years. It is important that we implement the Labour Court recommendation and that these supervisors have access to an occupational pension scheme.

Much of the focus has been on the emphasis on remote working. The Government has started a consultation process around remote working and this is welcome. However, it will be difficult for our towns and villages, which will be the centres of remote working, to continue to develop unless there is adequate water and waste water infrastructure. When we have a debate on housing, representatives of Irish Water should be invited to come here to talk about the water and waste water schemes we need in place in smaller towns and villages around the country to allow them to be sustainable. That will help in terms of regional development but also in providing housing. I am conscious that in my own county, vibrant towns and villages like Camolin, Ferns, Our Lady's Island, Ramsgrange and Campile do not have the necessary water and waste water. It will be impossible for them to develop unless those schemes are developed. I am sure the Leader has found the same in her own country. I hope that when we have that debate on housing, Irish Water will brought in to give answers on that issue as well.