In light of the lockdown, there is an ongoing issue with community employment, CE, supervisors and their claim for support and recognition. These are people who will be on the front-line dealing with people who are in isolation and living alone and creating the community effort over the next six seeks to ensure that everything is right in the communities. I would welcome the Taoiseach's thoughts on when the Government might bring a conclusion to the matter of pension rights or some form of recognition for these staff, some of whom have worked as supervisors for more than 35 years and have done more for the State than what they are asking for. Without these schemes, this country would be a lot worse off.

I am very well aware of the situation and I thank the Deputy for raising it. The Minister is very possessed with the issue. Discussions took place recently between the Departments of Employment Affairs and Social Protection and Public Expenditure and Reform, which has a key role in this matter as well given concerns previously that there may be knock-on implications arising out a mechanism to deal with this issue.

Those discussion are still ongoing. I will keep the Deputy informed.