Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)

Employment services are available from FÁS employment services offices in Longford town and clinics in Granard and Ballymahon. It is expected that in 2008 1,763 people will participate on FÁS programmes in County Longford.

The community employment programme continues to be a major provider of work places for the unemployed. In County Longford, 18 organisations employ 289 people in a variety of community employment work projects. In 2007, more than 200 people availed of assistance from the Job Club in Longford town, either through formal job club sessions or through one-to-one guidance. The supported employment programme assists the integration of persons with a disability into employment. Currently, 20 people from County Longford are on the programme and 78 are availing of courses in newer occupations such as, care assistants for nursing homes and hospitals, forestry operatives for the growing forestry industry, beauticians and child care assistants.

For those who have lost their jobs and those in employment, the importance of upskilling in the context of the economy's competitiveness is vital. Our workforce will need to be able to adapt quickly to meet the challenges posed by a rapidly shifting global economic market. The Government is continuing to develop the necessary policies and initiatives to tackle the issues currently facing us.

In regard to Connolly Barracks, Longford, the Minister for Defence, Deputy O'Dea, has assured me that there should not be any economic impact on the local communities as most of the personnel serving in these installations live in the areas and will continue to do so in the future, thereby minimising impact. The economic impact of the closure could benefit the area as the barracks is redeveloped. Were Deputy Bannon to visit Ballincollig, Cork, it might change his view in regard to what can be done in an area following redevelopment of old barracks. This was the experience of the last consolidation process where barracks were redeveloped, thus providing housing, offices and retail facilities for local communities and creating job opportunities.

I understand that Longford barracks was re-opened specifically to provide for the requirement for Border duties. On the northern side of the Border, the chain of British military bases has been removed. Clearly, the reduction in paramilitary activity and the benefits arising from the Good Friday Agreement were going to have some effect on current deployment.

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