Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister's response. As stated by her, the purpose of the JobBridge scheme is to bring people closer to employment. However, in this case - it is a bizarre anomaly - it is keeping people from employment. The Government has gone to a lot of trouble to assist young apprentices to finish their apprenticeships and these young graduate architects are in a similar position. As the Minister will be aware, they are limited in number and the OPW provides a number of them with well paid work experience which, in turn, allows them to take their professional examinations. It is welcome that the scheme is being reviewed. In that context, I ask the Minister not to close the door to these graduates. This anomaly makes no sense, as it affects people who have done a great deal of study and have no prospect of gaining employment in this country in the immediate future.

See this speech in context