Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

As the Taoiseach is aware, the Labour Party has been arguing for some time for labour market measures, particularly ones utilising money that would otherwise be spent on social welfare payments, in an effort to protect and save jobs. We consider this initiative to be a first step in this direction. Whether it is sufficient is another question, but I welcome it as far as it goes.

My questions to the Taoiseach pertain to two other matters referred to in the document and in his reply. The first is training and education. The document refers to the provision of 128,000 places by FÁS and 146,000 in further education. These are impressive figures but I presume in both cases they reflect mainly existing numbers of students and trainees who are already in the system. What do the proposals provide for in terms of additional places in further education and training?

Second, the Taoiseach said that people's difficulties with mortgage repayments and the prospect of home repossessions have been considered as part of the talks with the social partners. I draw his attention to the concern expressed by the Master of the High Court that there will be an "avalanche" of repossession applications in the autumn. There were 207 repossession cases taken in the High Court in the first three months of this years compared with 96 in the same period last year. The Master of the High Court says he is now hearing some 100 cases per week. While it is comforting to know the social partners are talking about repossessions, what comfort can be given to those whose homes are being repossessed and from whom financial institutions are seeking repossessions? Is it intended to offer some type of home guarantee to those who have lost their jobs, whose businesses are in trouble and who are finding it difficult to make mortgage repayments which will ensure they will retain their home at least for a period of time and get through these difficult times? What is the Taoiseach's view of the warning by the Master of the High Court — the person who deals with these matters — that the courts will face an avalanche of repossession applications in the autumn?

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