Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his response. I appreciate it. Community employment schemes have been the poor relation. One only has to look at the way the supervisors on these schemes have been treated down through the years. The Minister of State was not in office to oversee that.

I visited a community employment scheme in Wexford during the summer and it was amazing to see men aged in their late 50s and early 60s committed to the work they were doing in a garden. We need to waive all restrictions for those aged over 62. If people are on a scheme and the sponsor and supervisor are happy with the work they are doing, they should be allowed to remain until retirement age, with no restrictions and qualifying criteria. I ask the Minister of State to bring that proposal back to the Department because there is nothing worse for mental health than being forced into unemployment. My colleague spoke a few moments ago about the devastating effects of unemployment. I have been there and know what it is like. We need to look after the supervisors in the context of pension entitlements and the like. I again thank the Minister of State for coming to the House today and I appreciate his answer.