Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)

I thank the Minister for his reply. I have a question in respect of policy. Having had full employment for a number of years, does the Minister believe it is acceptable that a considerable number of teenagers are on unemployment payments? The most recent figures from May 2007 show that 7,500 teenagers are in receipt of such payments. It is hard to understand the justification for that in a situation where we have full employment. The fact that 7,500 teenagers are drawing the dole is an indictment of the education system. It is also an indictment of the Minister's Department because there has not been adequate intervention in those cases. Many parents feel strongly that it should not be so easy for teenagers to move from school or training to the dole. What is the policy in respect of this matter? Does the Minister accept it is not generally seen as desirable that teenagers should be facilitated in this way because it can set bad habits in terms of their future careers? What policy is the Minister pursuing to ensure it will not happen?

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