Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Ms Orla O'Connor and Mr. James Doorley for coming before the committee and giving of their time to discuss this issue.

I will direct my questions to Ms O'Connor first. On the issue of the maximisation of women's participation in the workforce, to what extent has she examined the European experiences in that area and compared them with ours with a view to addressing the issues that prevent women from participating in the workforce here and how they have dealt with those issues in the European context? She referred to the issue of rearing a family. Some women wish to take time out to rear their families. It is a choice they would have like to have as opposed to being forced to go in one direction or another. To what extent does she consider women here have a choice in that area in comparison to their European colleagues? The issue of choice in some cases is important, particularly in times of economic difficulty.

How does Ms O'Connor envisage the youth guarantee affecting the younger generation of women in this country, given the work incentive schemes in place to draw people away from unemployment? What needs most to be addressed in that area?

Ms O'Connor mentioned young single parents and I agree with what she said. One of the biggest problems in that area is the lack of adequate housing, certainly in the area in which I live where matters have reached an appalling state and young people are regularly in tears at the prospect of being homeless. It is sad situation. That is the way it is. There are no rented properties available for them other than at a rent they cannot afford. Local authorities ceased building houses ten years ago which leaves them in a very difficult and vulnerable situation.

I saw a recent study on young people, boys and girls aged ten to 17, which is a very vulnerable age group, who were referred to accident and emergency departments with suspected self-harm arising from self-harm. To what extent, does the Ms O'Connor's organisation have the wherewithal to focus on and address such subjects. It is a sensitive and difficult subject but one which remains with us. Oddly, twice as many girls as boys in that age group presented at accident and emergency departments.

Turning to Mr. James Doorley, how does he consider the youth guarantee is likely to work when it percolates down into the Irish system in addition to the systems already in place to deal with youth unemployment? In Europe, research has been done which suggests that young people do not wish or are reluctant to work, but I do not find that to be case with males or females. There is some research to back up that view and that may well be the case throughout Europe. However, given that disincentives to encouraging young people into workforce has been largely removed, albeit through necessity in this jurisdiction, how does Mr. Doorley consider the situation is affecting young people's morale, their sense of well-being and their confidence? What is the best way to address the issues presenting to them in terms of gaining access to the workforce? He mentioned that many young people are offered temporary jobs, but that is not necessarily a bad thing. It gives them experience, an opportunity to gain confidence in the workforce and realise what work is like and what they have to do in order to compete with those around them. From my experience, a high proportion of temporary job placements have led to permanent jobs in the same firms. I would like to hear Mr. Dooley's comments on this area.

We have a high proportion of young people, much higher than some other European countries, although the Latin countries also have a high proportion of young people, but we do not always compare like with like. Given that youth unemployment levels are extraordinarily high throughout Europe, in the context of an upsurge in the economy, does Mr. Doorley consider our young potential workforce will be well placed and have sufficient skill to access that employment? I attended a seminar on this subject not so long ago at which it was indicated that many employers consider the skills of the young people presenting to them are inadequate to meet the challenges in today's workplace. How do we deal with that?

I presume I mentioned the matter of individualisation.