Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

I thank the Taoiseach for his reply. I would like to give a sense of what people are saying and, as the Taoiseach said, it is coming across his desk also. One constituent wrote:

I feel Iike I am getting nowhere. I do not want to sit at home claiming job seeker's allowance for the next ten months. I want to further myself through education but barrier after barrier is being put in my way. I can be an asset to the country of my birth if I am given the necessary support. That is all I am asking for.

That is the appeal of many people in all constituencies across the State. I earnestly encourage the Taoiseach and his Government colleagues to ensure that budget 2012, with all the signalled misery it may very well visit on our respective lives, will include measures to address seriously deficiencies within systems that are meant to assist people to get out of the morass of unemployment.

The problem is not only the nine month restriction on access to third level education, but also the requirement on progression. Many people have attained a third level education, but may have identified another potential walk of life that requires a corresponding qualification. That also needs to be examined. I earnestly ask the Taoiseach to indicate that this matter will be followed up by him as well as by the Minister for Education and Skills and the Minister for Social Protection.

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