Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Brendan Howlin, is considering that concept of building a social clause into public contracts, which would include, for instance, a quota of apprentices from the live register. I understand it is being piloted and there is an ambition to expand. I hope we are coming to a point in our economic recovery where more employers will be willing to engage with that. I have heard a number of sectoral groups making the argument that they could increase the numbers they employ if they had the appropriate trainees. It takes two to tango in this regard and we cannot expect the State to do everything.

I am somewhat disappointed at the negative tone of the Sinn Féin motion and I cannot support it for that reason. I accept that we need to have a spectrum of offerings, which is what we are seeking to do. The emphasis in the motion on training and opportunity is right, but I absolutely defend the Gateway programme within local authorities.

It involves high quality work places and good people to work with. It is a good experience to shadow people with real skill in a workplace that has high standards and is a good working environment. Like the community employment scheme, which has also been good, as Deputy Ó Snodaigh said, this scheme offers a good opportunity. I have never heard a moment's criticism of community employment, which is set up on the same basis. I think this scheme will also prove itself to be good. It is not the answer to our unemployment problem. It constitutes less than 3% of the offering that the Departments are making to people who are out of work. That is all it is. If it is seen in that perspective, it will be clear that it fits into a spectrum of offering. I agree that we have a long way to go as we try to turn the tide. That is acknowledged in our amendment. We still have an unemployment rate of approximately 12%. We still have a net emigration level of 35,000. We need to build on the positive things that are happening. We should exploit the new training and work experience opportunities that are emerging in parts of the private sector that have been pretty much closed to any thinking about recruitment, training or apprenticeships for the last four or five years.

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