John Paul Phelan (Fine Gael)

I did not get to contribute before the Minister spoke, as I had to leave, nor did I get to speak on the section which deals specifically with the reduction in jobseeker's allowance. This section deals with supplementary welfare allowance. I spoke about this issue on Second Stage and, in many respects, this is the most objectionable part of the Bill. Senator Doherty is correct. People who have worked for a certain amount of time, but who do not have the requisite number of stamps will be treated differently from those who are slightly older and in the same boat. Perhaps the Minister might clarify that point.

We come from a country that does not have a very happy tradition of emigration. I see this initiative by the Government as, effectively, an invitation to a generation of young people to leave and many will do so. Senator Doherty is correct that not every person under the age of 24 years lives at home with his or her parents. People's circumstances are different. Recently I was made aware of a PE class in the University of Limerick which had graduated last summer. There were almost 70 students in the class, 11 of whom are now in Dubai and five in London. A number of others are also not in the country. Therefore, one is talking about one third of the class who have left the country already. From an economic point of view, it is not sustainable to export young people, as we did in previous generations, nor is it morally justifiable. This measure seems to suggest the stated of policy of the Government is that it will educate people but that there will be no jobs when they leave school or college and that they can get on the nearest boat or flight and leave the country. That is highly objectionable. Perhaps the Minister might be able to put my mind at ease but this is an open invitation from the Government to this generation of Irish people to leave the country, which is absolutely disgraceful.