Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)

The major issue is that almost 450,000 people are out of work and many of them see no light at the end of the tunnel. We need innovation and radical thinking in job creation allied to the existing measures being put in place. I suggest we begin with people in the public and private sectors who are within five years of retirement and who, I am sure, would give serious consideration to job sharing. This would be on a voluntary basis and it would give them an opportunity to ease into and adapt to retirement. If it were properly rolled out in a structured manner, it would open up opportunities for thousands of people.

While people would work for half a week during the five years of their semi-retirement, they would be credited with a full week's pension contribution. The people replacing them would include those in professions who are well qualified, well educated and well skilled who would not need pension contributions because they would benefit in a major way. There would also be retraining and up-skilling. The major issue is that they would be removed from the unemployment list and given hope.

It may be possible for companies and the public sector to work with employees to make up for the person who is leaving. I am sure in many cases the shoes of the person being replaced would be filled successfully by the person replacing them for the five years because they would have the basic qualifications required. This structure should be explored. It would be up to the Department to tweak it and perhaps to find ways around the system. It would be cost neutral as there would be no cost to the State; if anything there might be a little net gain.

I agree with Deputy Ross that the small and medium-sized enterprise sector is having a very challenging time. These businesses find it difficult to receive payment in many cases and many uncollectable debts exist which are being written off. Most of these companies cannot downsize because they are small by nature. They are heavily dependent on the banks and, as Deputy Ross mentioned, the banks have put the shutters down and are not co-operating. The aspiration of Government policy is that approximately €3 billion will be made available this year from the two pillar banks, with €3.5 billion next year and €4 billion the year after. That is not happening. It will not happen unless the Government intervenes and takes action immediately. The Government must intervene to allow people to access credit and to give them an opportunity to at least retain what they have and build on it.

County enterprise boards are providing invaluable backup and support to small and medium enterprises through mentoring them and directing them on the right pathway in the future. If county enterprise boards are allocated funding they offer the necessary start-up funding to companies. They have a vital role to play in future job creation along with Enterprise Ireland. They might both need to be revamped, built up with the correct structures and properly funded. Last year for instance Enterprise Ireland client companies generated exports of €13.9 billion, an increase of 10% on the previous year. Those companies provide 133,500 jobs and they generate a spend in the economy of €19 billion.

Although the concept and principle of internships is good they should be promoted and policed more so that nobody can abuse them. An internship should be based on the number of staff a firm employs prior to recruitment. At all times the intern should be additional to the existing workforce. An internship provides a net gain for people who need to get on the employment ladder as it gives them an opportunity to develop their skills.

Many people are currently facing emigration. They are flying out of the country at a rapid rate. The Minister, Deputy Burton, indicated that 4,000 had applied for internships, which is disappointing. The programme must be accelerated. Only 2,600 placements have been approved, which is even more disappointing given that the scheme has been in operation for some time. The programme should be reactivated and pushed more strongly.

In reply to a parliamentary question on the Garda vetting system implemented by the Garda on behalf of the Minister for Justice and Equality it was indicated that it takes approximately three months to vet individuals seeking part-time or full-time work in the various professions requiring vetting. That is most disappointing. Approximately 188,000 people required to be vetted in 2007 and the number rose to 292,000 in 2010. The waiting time is significant and must be reduced.

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