Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Joan Collins mentioned housing. In the recent budget the Government allocated €2.2 billion for social housing and is bringing forward changes in flexibility in the planning legislation, with two Bills on the way. In addition, there has been an instruction to NAMA to assist in terms of the provision of both unfinished units and land for construction to take place. Money has been allocated for the improvement of up to 1,800 vacant units in Dublin and around the country. Construction and reconstruction work is under way. The Construction 2020 programme will stimulate the construction sector which, as the Deputy is aware, collapsed at the end of the so-called Celtic tiger years.

Deputy Collins correctly referred to young people. That is why during Ireland's Presidency we were the country that promoted and introduced the Youth Guarantee, with the Tánaiste playing a leading role. That is why the nature of FÁS was changed entirely and it evolved into SOLAS. Serious levels of funding has been provided for training, apprenticeships to trades and to provide opportunities.

The Deputy also mentioned a letter from a young mother in Cork. I admire her writing to the newspaper.

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