Seanad debates

Wednesday, 4 June 2008

Photo of John Paul PhelanJohn Paul Phelan (Fine Gael)

What is the status of the debate on housing I have called for over the past several weeks, particularly in light of the decline in funding from the Department for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government for local authorities for social and affordable housing? What is the status of a debate requested by several speakers on the role of public private partnerships in the provision of different services? As a matter of urgency, I ask the Leader to organise a debate on the leaked report from FÁS which suggested that up to 65,000 jobs in the construction sector would be lost in the next year or so. If this comes to pass — given that FÁS is an independent agency — and if those figures are proven to be correct, it will have devastating consequences for many parts of the country, particularly rural areas which the Leader and I represent. This House would do well to have a debate on the possibilities of upskilling. Today sees the commencement of the State examinations of the leaving certificate and the junior certificate. In the past few years, many people left education early to take up jobs in construction. If this downturn results in a dramatic cut in the number of people employed in construction, there will be devastating consequences for parts of the country.

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