John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)

The first task is to analyse the job losses and quantify the numbers and the second is to determine whether the State is responding by way of putting in place a wide range of support mechanisms to create new jobs or teach the skills required by those who need to upskill to get new jobs. The Deputy's question referred to what the Government is doing to assist young people. There is a range of access programmes for young people to allow them get on to the employment ladder.

There is funding available through Skillnets and other programmes for those who have been identified as at risk to be reskilled, even before they leave employment. These programmes have proven quite successful and are widely supported by the chambers of commerce throughout the country.

The understanding of the county enterprise boards regarding what might happen to local economies is another matter. We need to establish a view on all the programmes that are operating locally to determine their exact impact and weaknesses. The economic climate is changing and we need to respond. It is not as if the programmes are not in place because they are, but they may have to be fine-tuned. We may have to introduce more. The Government understands the position of those who lose their jobs and it and its agencies will do everything possible to ensure employees are sufficiently skilled to take up whatever jobs might be available.

The Minister of State, Deputy Kelleher, referred to the construction industry and those who need to be reskilled by FÁS or introduced to new possibilities within other countries in terms of how they might take up employment or exploit the potential to make money in terms of other developing economies. Work is being done on every aspect of this matter.

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