Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)

We can talk about having a knowledge-based and an entrepreneurial society but if people do not have the basic fundamentals of being able to read and write, as well as basic computer skills, many of them will be left behind as we forge ahead.

Senator Quinn highlighted a number of areas, which we accept, but in the context of what we are trying to achieve with the skills strategy, we examined all of that when the economy was strong and people were coming here in droves to find work and address the labour shortage. We acknowledged that the major economic growth could not be sustained forever and that we had an obligation to those in the labour market, the long-term unemployed and people who dropped out of formal education early to ensure that in the event of a change occurring they would not be left behind. The skills strategy and lifelong learning is of fundamental importance to us as a nation. We must do whatever we can to change the mindset that when someone finishes national or secondary school, an apprenticeship, third level or finds work, their formal education ends at that point. We must foster the idea that their education should be updated and that they should continually upskill. That must become part and parcel of people's thinking. The Government can do so much in that regard but there must be a shift in people's view of life in general.

Regarding quality of life and work-related issues, we will announce in the near future a measure whereby small firms will be able to access funding by hiring a consultant to examine their working arrangements with a view to making them more family friendly. People will be able to apply to——