CALL FOR EXTENSION TO GALWAY COMMUNITY SCHEMES

Date Published: 26-Jun-2008

A county councillor is calling for people who are aged above 60 who work in community employment, such as FÁS schemes to be allowed remain on the schemes until pension age.

Currently Galway people aged over 55 can only work on the schemes for a maximum of 6 years, which would mean they would have a gap of 5 years before they get their pension.

Councillor James Joyce proposed a motion that the schemes be extended at a meeting of the County Council this week.

He put forward the motion because he says there has been an increased number of people joining the Live Register of late, especially from the construction industry.

The motion was passed at the meeting and will be put to Minister for Community, Éamon Ó Cuív and Táinaiste, Mary Coughlan.