Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

Three issues were raised. In reply to Deputy Morgan's question on FÁS training courses, new initiatives were taken to ensure that training is available in the installation of green energy projects, etc. New courses are being offered. The more people who are able to move off the live register and into training the better. Such upskilling of people who have lost their jobs in the construction industry will allow them to avail of new opportunities. That is one example of a new initiative which can work well.

On the question of the difference between the facilitators and the FÁS employment service, the facilitators take a broader approach in that they will also identify whether a literacy course, a course under a back to education scheme or under back to work scheme is the most appropriate. They do not only have an employment perspective, they examine the education and training needs of the person concerned and work individually with the person. That is useful also.

Deputy Shortall asked about 18 year olds coming onto the live register. It is interesting that even in the good times — I know this from visiting social welfare offices throughout the country — some people still walk into the social welfare office on their 18th birthday to sign on. There is this form of generational unemployment and if it continued during the good times, one can only imagine how bad it will get when jobs are more scarce.

Two pilot projects have been introduced in Letterkenny and Coolock, which appear to be working well and which I would be anxious to extend. Such projects would ensure that 18 to 20 year olds who come in to sign on will be immediately put on a training course rather than be in receipt of social welfare benefit. I would like to see more of that. It is a bad idea to hand €204.30 per week to 18 year olds. I would rather see them get the benefit of education and training, and I am happy to——

See this speech in context