Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)

I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to debate the following urgent matter: the disturbing findings of the National Economic and Social Forum, including that Ireland has one of the highest levels of inequality among OECD countries; 14% of households in poverty are headed by a person with a job; we are ranked 51 out of 56 countries in terms of equality of opportunity for women; 13% of Irish young people leave school early; 23% of the working population lack functional literacy skills; and we have significant unemployment blackspots like Carrick-on-Suir with 25% unemployment. Arising from this I call on the Government to prioritise spending on services like health, education, housing, social welfare and job creation by using the large budget surplus that stood at more than €6.3 billion in 2005 and is projected at €4.4 billion in 2006 for these services.

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