Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this motion and thank Deputy Varadkar for proposing it. Even though this issue is becoming increasingly important, the most obvious feature of the Government's response is a lack of imagination. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is working to the same plans it devised ten years ago. It has no sense of urgency in regard to what is happening. Like others in the Department, the Minister of State, Deputy Kelleher, is not being realistic about the current economic climate. Imaginative ideas are badly needed to support younger members of the workforce.

Over the past several years my home county of Wexford has relied heavily on the construction industry. I do not doubt that other counties had a similar relationship of dependence but County Wexford has lacked the advantage of having a senior Minister who would encourage investment and industrial development in the county. I have regularly warned this House about our dependence on the construction industry. Small business people in Wexford have worked hard to achieve their current positions in life. The soft furnishing and engineering companies which employ 100 or 200 people did not receive a penny from the Government, the IDA or Enterprise Ireland. These companies are now feeling the pinch. Deputy English rightly criticised the failure of banks to offer credit to small companies. Over the past year, credit availability has tightened significantly with the result that companies are forced to close.

Young people who are in the middle of their apprenticeships with carpentry, electrical and plumbing companies are being let go. What is to happen to these people? I have contacted FÁS, the Minister and the Minister of State on a number of occasions to raise this issue only to be told that nothing can be done. That is a further example of the Government's false commitment to young people.

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