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

Is that what it is?

It is like groundhog day for me, since I spoke on this Bill last night. I do not want to repeat everything I said, although I discussed Tallaght and the importance of the projects therein. I want to mention the Leas-Cheann Comhairle's colleague, Deputy Penrose. Sometimes, people get confused when compliments cross the floor, but Deputy Penrose and I have been friends and colleagues since I entered the House and I compliment him on his work.

After reading the newspapers this morning, it is clear that FÁS is getting a great deal of bad press, perhaps much of which is deserved. FÁS was mentioned on the Order of Business again. However, it is important that its image be improved by the people within it. The Government has a clear role, but FÁS must do its own business. All of us have listened to the debate carefully and many colleagues have pointed to the importance and value of the services provided by FÁS in everyone's community. In Tallaght in Dublin South-West, the case is no different. FÁS must continue to reach out to people who need employment services and training.

I speak with local groups daily. Without being critical, as I do not want anyone in FÁS in Cookstown to telephone me, the Cookstown office and FÁS in the Dublin region generally must continue to reach out. I am a Dubliner, so I will confine my remarks to Dublin. I hope that FÁS will continue to play its role.

Recently, Dublin South-West's Deputies attended a meeting in the Brookfield community enterprise centre regarding community employment schemes and the worth of the jobs initiative programme in particular. There is a sense that the latter may be under threat, but I believe strongly in the value of such programmes. There is no doubt that FÁS and the Government must consider in an innovative way how to change the direction of some of the schemes to ensure that they are employment driven and that people are trained.

I want to make a strong case for the jobs initiative scheme as it is found in Tallaght in Action Tallaght, the Killinarden and parish community enhancement scheme, the Tallaght development company in Killinarden, the council zone scheme, the Jobstown community enhancement scheme and the Tallaght Centre for the Unemployed. They do great work and look after-----

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