Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I absolutely agree with the Senator on the role CE schemes will hopefully play going forward. Last year, 3,000 additional CE places were announced in the July stimulus. We have been putting out feelers about the levels of interest in them and the levels are good. Schemes such as community employment will play a central part in bringing communities back from where we have been over the last 12 months.

I formally acknowledge the valuable and dedicated service of CE supervisors provide in running CE schemes and delivering locally based community service, while providing a valuable training and development opportunity to the long-term unemployed, often to those who are furthest removed from the labour market.

It should be noted that, where possible and in compliance with public health guidelines, a significant number of CE schemes have continued to operate throughout the various levels of Covid-19 public health restrictions. I am aware that schemes have been delivering essential services in their local communities throughout the current public health restrictions and that other schemes have been involved in delivering health and social care services as well. I sincerely thank those involved for what they have been doing over the last 12 to 14 months.