Larry Butler (Fianna Fail)

The unemployment situation is becoming catastrophic, with jobs being lost every day. Some initiative must be taken in this regard. While we regularly talk about the economy here, we should allot the same amount of time to discussing unemployment. Among our unemployed are people from all walks of life, including accountants, architects and solicitors. The Minister should consider putting together a directory of the skills they offer. After she does that she should examine the €1 billion spent on FÁS and take some of that money away because such people do not need upskilling but job creation. Jobs could be created by the entrepreneurship of two to five of these people getting together and creating a way forward out of the unemployment situation the country now faces.

I suggest we do this regularly in the House and that a plan be put in place to deal with the situation. Not only does it cost a fortune to have people unemployed but the people I describe have significant ability to create wealth. This is one way to do it. We could dovetail these people into the smart economy and into different businesses that require further people on their books. There are still some jobs available but we do not know how to dovetail the people with the jobs. For argument's sake, if we took it to its full conclusion and created a proper directory using technology, we could find out what kinds of jobs are available in Australia, New Zealand or Canada instead of having skilled people going there only to discover there are no jobs for them in those countries.

The Department of Social and Family Affairs should take initiatives such as this. When one considers that €21 billion is involved, it is time for us to put some money into ensuring we have an initiative for these people who do not want to be unemployed.