Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

This is why it is so difficult to get into a post-leaving certificate course. Young people are crying out for training or anything which will improve their chances of employment. A youth guarantee scheme must be adequately funded and must take into account the added difficulties faced by young people living in the countryside or small towns throughout the State. Young people in rural Ireland have problems accessing education and suitable training courses. Cuts have been made to rural transport and it is not easy or cheap to travel to centres of education. In most rural areas in Ireland there is no public transport. Those who want to attend these centres must travel to the largest town in the county which in itself presents a problem.

No pressure should be put on young people to train for something in which they have no interest or for which they do not have the aptitude, but they are being forced to do so. The ambitions and choices of young people should also be taken into account, but there is a sense that one must accept an offer or one's benefits will be cut. This is wrong and people should not be penalised because of the inadequacies of the Government to provide proper jobs for young people.

If the aim of a Government is to prepare a young person for a career there is no point in cutting unemployment assistance if people discover the course they have been compelled to attend does not suit them or they are not able for it. Sinn Féin proposes spending €400 million on a youth guarantee. This is cheap at the price. It would mean real investment in our young people whose value to the country is priceless and whose departure from these shores to expend their energies, intelligence, skills and talents in other nations is a crying shame. It is an indictment not only of this Government but also of previous Governments. The Minister and the Government are at the helm now and it is up to them to ensure they provide proper funding so young people can be trained on a course for which they are able and which is suitable for them, they have good jobs to go to and they are not forced out of the country by cuts to unemployment assistance. It is an absolute disgrace.

See this speech in context