Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I endorse the Taoiseach's statement regarding the high calibre of youth coming out of third level education. This is helpful in attracting foreign direct investment. There is another aspect, however. It has recently been ascertained that 2,000 students drop out of secondary education after just two years, which is alarming. It is something we will have to address. One in five students in the 13 to 15 age group are disengaging from education, so there is a need for corrective action to halt this worrying trend.

Germany and some other continental countries have a scheme to identify problems facing students in the first and second years of secondary education. Such students can be diverted to training centres to undertake trade apprenticeships while continuing their school education part-time. The system operates for students who cannot adapt to full-time academic pursuits. In that way, at 18 years of age, they are trained and available for employers who are seeking such people for the job market. It is a good example of where Ireland should also be going in order to remedy this situation, particularly as our youth unemployment is exceedingly high. It is currently one of the highest Europe and has been for some time.

I commend the appointment of the Minister of State, Deputy Ó Ríordáin, to the Department of Health with responsibility for drugs. There is a need for a greater awareness of drug abuse across all age groups, but in particular for our youth. Kerry Life Education is providing a mobile unit in the county to promote awareness of drug misuse. The group's professional staff are doing Trojan work in this regard.

In addition, the Kerry diocesan youth services have a mobile unit which visits all corners of the region. It is essential to bring such technological facilities to remote areas. The services provided by such mobile units could be replicated around the country. I ask the Government to provide the necessary support to enable all these organisations to continue operating.

4 o’clock

I hope the Cabinet, specifically the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy James Reilly, will approve the necessary funding in the budget.

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