Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)

Will the Minister accept this scheme is in need of urgent reform? The Department's view is that everything is okay as long as it is treading water. The fact is there is a huge demand for places on this scheme. What on earth is the reason for not allowing people to participate in third level courses after being unemployed for three months? There seems to be a mindset in the Department that people will give up their jobs if it is made too easy for them to do so. The nature of unemployment has completely changed. What is the sense in making people wait longer than three months before allowing them to participate on a course through this scheme? Should we not encourage people to go back to education and enhance their educational qualifications so that they will be ready to avail of employment opportunities when the economic recovery eventually comes? What is the Minister's defence for not allowing this to happen?

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