Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)

I wish to raise an issue under the Labour Services (Amendment) Bill, given the presence of the Minister of State with responsibility for labour, Deputy Calleary, and the Tánaiste. When we are discussing the effectiveness of the board, we must also discuss a radical overhaul of courses. I am encountering many constituents, sparkies and plumbers, who have done one, two or three years of their apprenticeships but who find themselves in limbo. Their expectations were for 26-week courses, which puts them further into limbo.

Some 27% of the unemployed are aged under 25 years. This is 104,000 people. We must consider a situation-----

See this speech in context