Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael)

Yesterday, I was happy to be part of an Oireachtas delegation that met a delegation from the Australian Parliament in Leinster House. It is clear that Australia's economy has not been hit to the same extent as has other countries. The delegation was directly asked the reason Australia has survived the international recession to a large degree. First, Australia has, and always has had, a strict banking regulatory regime. Second, their budgets have introduced fiscal stimulus into their economy through the use of infrastructure projects to help to create and to sustain employment.

I suggest these are similar policies to those the Fine Gael Party has been submitting to the Government for consideration over the past two years. I note Fianna Fáil Members have tabled a Private Members' motion this evening regarding a positive step. While I will give credit where it is due, this measure again was suggested by the Fine Gael Party. I refer to an initiative whereby PRSI breaks would be given to employers to take on employees. Although Fine Gael suggested this two years ago, Fianna Fáil and the Green Party are only implementing it now. Faster responses to the challenges posed by unemployment and recession are required from the Government.

In addition, last week I asked for a debate on youth unemployment specifically but was dissatisfied with the response I received from the Leader. While Members are running out of time in this session, I will ask again. A total of 56,000 students sat their leaving certificate examinations last week and it is to be hoped that most of them will enter third level education. However, many people will graduate from such education this year with no real employment prospects, other than emigration, which no Member wishes to see. A man who has three adult children in his house, all of whom are graduates with professional qualifications, contacted me recently. He is in anguish and is concerned about their mental health and this must be of concern to this House. I appeal to the Leader and to the Government to consider the issue of employment in respect of those who are under 25 and to come up with some ideas or plans that will return them to the workplace. They are educated, talented and have something to offer. Local authorities and State agencies could take them on in internships. Similarly, there are schools and community development projects that could be developed. We must begin thinking about and implementing such measures fast, before the nation as a whole becomes demoralised.