Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Workers and Unemployed Action Group) | Oireachtas source

On numerous occasions I have said the Government is a job destruction government. This proposal is another indication of this.

There are fewer jobs in the economy now than there were when the Government came to power. The Government's economic programme for the next three years which it set out last November is based on a net decrease in the number of jobs in 2012, no increase in 2013 and a very small increase in 2014. Of course, the 2014 figure is a target. These proposals run counter to the effort to get the economy back on its feet and people back into employment. They will lead to a reduction of 500 in the number of jobs in the economy. Some 500 teachers, many of whom are in part-time or temporary positions, will lose their jobs and join the dole queues at an additional cost to the State.

Approximately 38,0000 students are catered for in this sector which is being targeted for cuts, even though it is hugely important for the retraining, re-skilling and upskilling of people who need to gain employment. Some 30% of the students in question are on back to education courses. A further 10% are participating in vocational training opportunities schemes. More than 50% of these students are being upskilled on various schemes. This measure will ensure fewer courses will be available to those who lose their jobs and wish to return to education. It runs directly counter to the suggestion the Government intends to create jobs. There is huge productivity in the sector. The number of students already exceeds by over 5,500 the number who are supposed to be catered for in it. The teachers are very productive. As I said, they cater for an additional 5,500 students and do a great deal of administrative work on these courses.

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