Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)

There are approximately 69,500 people aged under 24 on the live register. The Minister for Finance claimed in his speech that he will make 26,000 training places available. Therefore, we cannot force all of those people into training schemes because there are simply not enough places. Many of those are graduates who will be over qualified for the type of training places I imagine will be envisaged under this proposal.

We are now in a situation where parents, especially those in the public sector who are in the €30,000-45,000 income bracket and who have seen their incomes reduced, will see a further squeeze on their finances if they have children who have recently graduated living at home who may not fit the type of training schemes that are envisaged. Under section 3, the Minister has already acknowledged there will be a pro rata decrease, depending on means. I understand that the minimum amount for which somebody living at home could be eligible is about €30. That is pocket money and it reduces the dignity of people who qualify from third level education and who continue to live at home.

There are over 69,000 people aged under 24 on the live register and a significant number of them are graduates who cannot get a job. The logical conclusion - I say this rationally and without emotion - is that many of the people to whom I refer will be obliged to migrate to some other part of the world to obtain employment.

In the past ten years, Australia was the new Klondike and it was a good place for people in their early 20s to go. However, this choice is no longer available because the employment situation in Australia is not as good as previously. It appears Canada is the new Klondike for many people. However, employment opportunities there will also soon dry up. As a result, a significant number of people under the age of 25 will be obliged to reside at home with their parents. These individuals will be obliged to survive on incomes of €30 or €40 per week and this will place an increased burden on their parents.

What we needed in the budget was some degree of programming which would ensure that people would not be obliged to take up positions on Mickey Mouse courses in order to maintain their social welfare payments. The Government should have put in place a proper, well thought out, structured programme of internships. This would have allowed the people to whom I refer to use the knowledge and qualifications they possess.

The Minister should think about things in a more lateral fashion. If she is going to put in place schemes, these should be properly thought out. People's entitlements should not be cut until they can be given positions on meaningful courses or be provided with internships. If they are afforded such opportunities, it will assist them in getting back into the workplace. My party is opposed to this amendment because it will place further hardship on low-paid parents whose sons and daughters under the age of 24 continue to live at home.

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