Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

That experience helps me to assist people because I can understand the challenges they face. I live in Tallaght, where 7,261 people were unemployed in January. That is a huge figure for the third largest population centre in the country.

I cut my political teeth as a founder member of Get Tallaght Working in 1984, when jobs were a major issue. I am not afraid to speak about Tallaght's needs or the 24,000 young people who are still in school in Tallaght. The infrastructure in Tallaght is tremendous but we need the same help as everyone else. I will not compete with other Deputies or claim that jobs should be created in Dublin rather than Westmeath, Carlow, Tullamore or Wexford but we are all entitled to speak for our constituents.

I concur with my colleagues on the need to do all we can to assist people. Two weeks ago, I was anxious to invite my party colleague, the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Deputy Hanafin, to Tallaght in order to visit the family resource centre and An Cosán in Killinarden and the local MABS centre and Citizens Information Bureau in Tallaght village. She saw for herself the challenges that people are facing.

The last call I received before coming to the Chamber this evening was from a constituent from Kilnamanagh who worked in SR Technics. When the news about that company broke, I was concerned for north Dublin and the employees who would be affected. My constituent wanted me to share his concerns about the job he held at the company for the past 31 years. He is typical of many of the company's employees. The Tánaiste and the Minister of State, Deputy Kelleher, must do what they can in this regard. Workers have expressed concern that the Dublin Airport Authority is putting down deposits on hangars. A case can be made for reaching out to the workers to see what can be done. If it is true that the company is not prepared to consider offers for the Dublin facility, Government agencies should get involved.

An innovative project from Institute of Technology Tallaght, ITT, provides an example of what is needed nationally to retrain, support and energise those who have been unfortunate to lose their jobs. Increasing numbers are losing their jobs in the current economic recession. Many may want to take the opportunity to gain a third level qualification but are unsure if they would be able to study at third level.

ITT has developed a new and innovative programme for those who are unemployed and are seeking to retrain and up-skill for the knowledge economy. A certificate in preparatory study for third level, special purpose award level 6 research, has shown that adult learners often lack confidence when they are faced with the prospect of returning to education. ITT is opening up the college to prospective students and giving them core confidence building skills in the areas of communications, personal development and study techniques. The programme also provides participants with tastes of a range of subjects in areas that would improve their prospects for future employment to help them choose the right programme. While attending the programme individuals remain available for employment, which means their welfare benefits are not adversely affected. Participants who successfully complete the programme gain an accredited special purpose award at level 6. Once again, Tallaght is showing the way.

Other speakers have criticised county enterprise boards but, with a little bit of tweaking, these organisations can continue to play a valuable role.

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