Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)

I will finish up. My main point is that the energies of FÁS need to refocus on job placement and matching people with jobs. That should not happen at the expense of training which is good. It suggests instead of greatly increasing the number of community employment schemes, we should consider dole to work schemes such as are used in Australia. I am open to any suggestion because it is important that people get opportunities to work.

When we discuss this, it is important not to concentrate on controversies and scandals. We need to consider what is positive in FÁS and how we can improve it. This is the time to do that because FÁS needs to get on and do the work that is needed to get more people working and restore high employment levels. We need to examine whether the functions of FÁS are fit for our current needs.

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