John Gerard Hanafin (Fianna Fail)

Will the Leader arrange a debate on the role of FÁS? We are in a severe recession again but this is not something of which we do not have experience. Therefore, we are not working in a vacuum. The reality is that many people in difficult times were very happy to take up positions in FÁS and do work for the organisation. Despite this, because of the regulations within the organisation, they were restricted in that very worthwhile and useful work.

Consider the waste that took place in FÁS, namely, the €48 million spent on advertising. One wonders what was being advertised. What kind of publicity and self-promotion was necessary to warrant the spending of €48 million by a State board? In spite of this, we must not throw out the good in FÁS with that which is bad. We must now ensure all the money that is necessary goes directly to the people who can benefit most. We are back in recessionary times and do not want a repeat of the circumstances that obtained on the last occasion, in which people were stopped doing necessary and very worthwhile work. All the money available should be directed towards those who will benefit.