Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am glad to hear the Minister say he is open to it because we all agree that job creation is a key priority. My question concerns the long-term unemployed. We must accept the reality that these 100,000 people have been forgotten. Market-based initiatives will not deal with many of the long-term unemployed. It is great to see jobs coming in, particularly for highly educated people, but we cannot take our eye off the ball in respect of the 100,000 people who are long-term unemployed.

The proposal is for real employment at the going hourly rate. A total of 100,000 people are available. It would be a major step in the right direction and create in the region of 100,000 part-time jobs for unemployed people who would be paid at the hourly rate and work up to a maximum of 19.5 hours per week. Access would be on a voluntary basis only. The jobs would be created in the public and community and voluntary sectors. I asked this question because the voluntary and community sector is often excluded and the focus is on all the highly educated whizz kids out there. We cannot forget the 100,000 people who are long-term unemployed.

See this speech in context