Marie Louise O'Donnell (Independent)
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I do not know where to start. It is like sitting in the city of the disavowed. I will start with Mr. O'Connor. He is interesting and is a good spokesman for his organisation. I taught in his organisation for 30 years. I am a great believer in young minds, how they articulate where they want to go and how they can bring cities with them. Well done to him.

Mr. O'Connor made a good point about entrepreneurship within the technology and pharmaceutical sectors not being meted out in third level science and engineering courses. He forgot the arts. I am unsure as to whether I agree with his definition of apprenticeships. He seemed to recoil when he heard "Irish Water". He does not necessarily see it as something for apprentices. A job is a job and experience is experience. Irish Water has great plans to become a leader in how we operate. There is more involved than digging a road and installing a meter.

I take up the point made by Mr. O'Connor to the Department, as its presentation gives the sense of filling extra spaces. I do not get the feeling of a national jobs strategy of the type Mr. O'Connor discussed. All of these egrets beneath the surface are not being brought together in a national strategy. Will the departmental officials comment on this?

In terms of our €14 million, does Mr. O'Connor believe that we should start with graduates or the furthest away from the job market? Who has a better chance or could start on a better footing? Do the departmental officials know whether other member states have submitted youth guarantee plans? I am confused about whether we are getting €14 million, €16 million or €100 million.

According to the Ballymun Job Centre's excellent presentation, it will inform the Department of Social Protection about the activation of young people on the register. When will we know the lessons it has learned?

I suggest that Mr. O'Connor should start with the banks, which provide a rate of 4.5% in their graduate programmes but increase it to 9.8% within a month of them qualifying. This is immoral and unethical and is a factor in people not being able to take money home even after they get jobs.

Is there a cap on the amount of money for which we can apply? I am confused. Is there any possibility that the youth guarantee will be extended to people aged less than 18 years, for example, 16 year olds?