Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I do not need to point out, because we are all aware of it, that we have a deficit in housing. I am concerned for those people who have been in long-term unemployment. We are seeing from the SPU that some businesses will clearly end up closing and there will be a mismatch between the kinds of jobs that will be available and the people who are unemployed. I note from the SPU that the Minister has mentioned upskilling, reskilling and that kind of thing. What practical steps will be taken to give those who will be in long-term unemployment as a result of the decision to no longer support businesses which, as is stated in the SPU, will no longer be viable? It will need a massive and specific upskilling and reskilling programme, something we have never seen in this State before, in order for people to be taken out of long-term unemployment. We saw previously the impact that had on youth unemployment, with large swathes of our youth having to go abroad, including many of my generation. That will obviously not be an option as a result of Covid. I am also concerned about people who are aged 50 and over. They will find it difficult to move into other employment. The reskilling plan will have to be extremely ambitious.