Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

As already stated, an 18 year old who signs on will, if he or she is fully qualified, receive a payment of €100 per week. However, he or she will also be given information on the providers of education and training courses in the local area. If he or she participates in a Youthreach, FÁS, Traveller centre or back to education course, he or she will also qualify for the relevant allowance. This provides young people with a real incentive to participate in courses rather than beginning their adult lives by being dependent on social welfare payments. The Bill indicates what will be the actual allowance. As already indicated, however, there are many exemptions. For example, those with children, those leaving State care and those who are homeless and vulnerable will be exempt. People with a genuine need and who do not have families to support them are specifically listed.

We must encourage young people to avail of education and training opportunities. As stated earlier, the two pilot schemes were not successful. The reason for this was that there was no financial incentive for the young people involved. There are those who do not want to be on welfare payments and who want to get off them as quickly as possible. However, there are others whose families have been on such payments for generations and who would be happy to remain in their current situation rather than taking control of their lives and ensuring they are no longer dependent on welfare. We must target these individuals.