Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)

I understand that, but the point I am trying to make is that what some of those workers need will not necessarily fit into the type of boxes the statutory organisations proffer. I know someone, for example, who wants to do a horticultural course. Others want to do courses that do not necessarily fit into what FÁS believes should be provided. It is important that their voices are heard.

Another issue is the fact that Limerick VEC had to turn away 2,500 applicants for the college of further education in Mulgrave Street because there was not enough room for them. In other words, 2,500 people in the mid-west region who want to do further education courses cannot fit into the college because it is so tightly squashed in terms of space. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Billy Kelleher, to the House and believe he will be interested in this area.

Would it not be much better to give those 2,500 people the opportunity for further training and education, rather than obliging them to sign on to the dole queues? Moreover, this is what such people want and I urge the Minister to bring this suggestion to the Government. It would be much better to facilitate people's involvement in education rather than remaining on the dole queues. Many people come into my clinic, as I am sure is the case in Members' nationwide, and state this is what they want. I refer to people who never have been unemployed previously and who want the opportunity to either pursue further education and training or to have work.

As for work, regional seed capital and venture capital to assist start-up enterprises is required urgently. Many people have bright ideas, some of whom already have started businesses. I recently spoke to a young self-employed woman who provides workplace safety training. When she first established her business, it paid her a living wage but this no longer is the case. She has been told that were she to give up her business and become unemployed for six months, she could receive a back-to-work payment and could start up the business all over again.

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