Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

He does not seem to want that. I reject completely his assertion about Mickey Mouse opportunities. These are opportunities for young people to get a start on the ladder and if he is like the promoters of the party in front of him in wanting them to languish on the dole queues with no opportunities, responses or incentives, that is not the space the Government is in or the space I am in.

We are working very closely with the Minister for Social Protection in changing the structures so that people can have opportunities to work.

I visited the Intreo offices in Dundalk and Sligo. In group interviews and individual interviews, people were asked what they would like to do, what were their talents, what were their skills and whether they wanted to become technicians, welders, block layers or whatever. There are opportunities created for young people. They have all got a talent. They have all got a flare. They may not all be PhDs or have masters degrees in scientific analysis but they have a part to play and we want to give them that opportunity. That is where the investment for Government will continue to be. I do not accept the Deputy's assertions at all.

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