Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)

We have had a number of jobs initiatives at this stage. The last budget was referred to as a jobs budget, after which we had the action plan for jobs. In the wake of all of this, however, the quarterly national household survey figures released this morning show that unemployment has crept up to 14.8% and, more significantly, that the number of long-term unemployed - those out of work for more than a year - has increased by 10% in the past 12 months and now constitutes 60% of the total number of unemployed. The data indicate, moreover, that the numbers unemployed for more than two years have also increased and now make up some 40% of the total unemployment figure. Given that more than 200 people per day are leaving the country, it is clear that emigration is the only thing preventing an even higher rate of joblessness.

The Minister of State is correct that the number of people in training schemes has increased. In fact, I understand an additional 12,000 to 14,000 training places have been filled since the start of the year. The corollary of that, however, is that there are up to 14,000 more people without jobs.

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