John Paul Phelan (Fine Gael)

I agree with those who have raised the need for a debate on FÁS. I concur with Senators Fitzgerald, Ross and others on this side. I accept the points made by many of those on the Government side regarding the importance of the work done by FÁS, but it seems as if an apology is being made to the effect that, since FÁS does good and necessary work, questionable practices in the spending of public money are acceptable.

Community employment schemes operating throughout the country do tremendous work and the apprenticeships run by FÁS are valuable, but they account for less than half of the body's annual budget. We are entitled to ask where the other €700 million is being spent.