Michael Conaghan (Dublin South Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

In areas where there is very high unemployment, there are also a wide range of schools and colleges, particularly VEC schools and colleges, which are making very significant efforts to reach out and attract people, and there is a significant response. Education and training are two very much linked interventions in people's lives. I get the impression from talking to some of the VEC colleges in Ballyfermot, Inchicore and Crumlin that they believe there could be additional recognition and support from the Department of Social Protection. I am not fully aware of the support the Department gives. However, they feel there should be additional recognition and support. A lot of resources are being put into that kind of intervention by the VECs, particularly the City of Dublin VEC. Sometimes, perhaps, they are not getting the appropriate recognition, response or support from the Department of Social Protection. The Department of Education and Skills, under the new Minister, is very much engaged with this issue and is reviewing how she can be of additional support to them.

However, people who are unemployed are flocking to these colleges. This is a great opportunity and we should not miss it. Sometimes, people put themselves forward and it does not work in the first instance. They may be reluctant to go back again. Perhaps there should be more discussion with VECs, colleges and schools, or someone should be appointed to liaise with them, assess what they are doing and its success and how it can be enhanced.