Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy because it is not very often that Sinn Féin acknowledges that there is an increase in job availability but the numbers are improving. It is great to see people going back to work and when they do so it is certainly better for their families.

There are several schemes and training programmes available: springboard offers 9,000 free places; skillnet actively supports and works with businesses to address their current and future skill needs, which enables people to access its activities; the education and training boards, ETBs, run several education and training courses and there are other training schemes under SOLAS, the back-to-education programme and community traineeships. These programmes endeavour to maximise the number going back to work. I encourage people in that situation to engage with their local Intreo offices to make sure they are aware of what is available to them and what they can access. It is in all our interests to get as many back to work as possible and make sure they have the skills to take up those responsibilities.

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