Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

With regard to employment opportunities, there has been an increase in places available through the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Department of Education and Science. Significantly, a €20 million activation fund has also been established which will be available to the private and public sectors, enabling people to come forward with ideas on training and courses immediately.

People have said that young people will emigrate. If somebody who is 18 or 19 emigrates with no training or skills, he or she will end up looking for social welfare in another country. They will get £50 for that. We are not telling young people to emigrate. Their choice is €100 or education and training, which will allow the full rate.