Last November I raised the question of community employment, CE, schemes, and the difficulty many community organisations were having in finding and retaining individuals in these schemes. This arises from a decision to change the rules last summer, implemented by the Minister for Social Protection.

Is the Deputy talking about legislation or the programme for Government?

It is in the programme for Government, page 52, section P. In response to me at the time and to colleagues who have raised the issue since then, the Minister referred to a report that was pending on how CE schemes are and would be implemented.

I am concerned that there is an ideological issue at play here. Some, including the Minister, see the CE schemes as a means to an end with job activation as the ultimate goal. Others see them as an end in themselves where individuals can contribute constructively within a structured format in their communities which is mutually beneficial to the individual and the host organisation.

When will the report the Minister mentioned issue? Is it imminent? What side does the Taoiseach see it coming down on?

The Government recently heard a report from the Minister on this where he said he is anxious to change the construction of CE schemes to allow more people participate in them. I expect he will bring this to public attention very shortly. The intention is to continue CE schemes but because of the rising rate of employment there is a different category available for CE schemes and the Minister is anxious to facilitate that.