Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)

Ireland was the first of the eurozone countries to enter recession and unemployment is rising more quickly here than any other country. We are witnessing the worst slide in the public finances of any eurozone country since the beginning of Economic and Monetary Union. The boom and bust pattern designed by this and previous Governments has severely damaged Ireland's economic resilience and its ability to recover from downturns, yet we are forced to listen to the mantras about the worldwide situation which are trotted out by Government Members. At least we no longer have to listen to last summer's catch phrase, "The fundamentals of the economy are sound".

This motion was tabled in an effort to force the Government to come to grips with the specific problems that have arisen in the area of training. Our economy is suffering in this recession because of its slide in competitiveness. In coming years, labour productivity and ability will be the key determinants of renewed economic growth in Ireland and increasing productivity will depend to a large extent on education and training. A better educated and trained workforce will produce higher value goods and services and will be more likely to innovate. The equation is: training equals productivity equals competitiveness equals recovery.

FÁS was established in January 1988 under the Labour Services Act 1987. The board of the agency, which is appointed by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, comprises employer and trade union representatives. After 20 years is it not time to look at both the composition of the board and the functions it performs in regard to training? Like any organisation in existence for 20 years, FÁS is in need of refreshing, restructuring and refocusing. At the very least, we have to establish whether we are getting value for money from the agency. The assertion by its CEO at a recent meeting of the Committee on Public Accounts that its services can only succeed if they are promoted and marketed effectively and that it is right that it has a substantial spend in this area misses the point and shifts the emphasis in priorities. As far as I am concerned, the role and manner in which it carries out its work in these economic times requires little or no marketing or advertising. During recessionary periods, individuals and businesses do not invest in the optimal levels of education and training. The Minister for Finance could introduce an employer's tax credit to encourage investment in this area.

My constituency of Clare has experienced a 47.6% increase in unemployment over the past 12 months. Unemployment figures have soared from 4,074 to 6,014 this year, which equates to the loss of five jobs every day of the last year. One of the most frightening trends in the published statistics is the increase in the under 25 year old category as a percentage of the overall total. The rate of unemployment among younger people is increasing. This, if nothing else, should demonstrate to the Government the importance of acting on this Fine Gael Private Members' motion. Training must be at the centre of any economic recovery plan

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