Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)

When the previous Government left office in February 2011, 350,000 more people were at work than when it took office. I doubt this Government will ever be able to make that boast. Is the Minister for Education and Skills aware of the statements this morning from across the social spectrum, including the statement from ISME that the Government's job policy is a shambles? ICTU called on the Government to start tackling the jobs problem and the Chambers of Commerce of Ireland has issued a statement saying the unemployment levels in Ireland are at crisis point. That is the reality.

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