Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)

We should use this House to shape policy to meet emerging needs in the economy. In view of that I request a debate on the education system and how it supports job creation and innovation. I refer in particular to the skill gaps identified here and the jobs that are available here that nobody can fill. To think that there are in region of 800 posts in IT for that graduates are not capable of filling is an incredible indictment of our education system, given the shortage of jobs in real terms. I would be grateful if the Leader could arrange for the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Ruairí Quinn, to come into the House to examine this.

I support what other colleagues said today about people being worried about debt. The FLAC report released this morning shows that there has been a 400% increase in debt-related queries since 2007 and the boom collapsed. We need to invite the Minister for Social Protection into the House to outline the measures available right now in the community, be it through the MABS, the Citizens Advice Bureau, Bord Gáis, the ESB or the banks, to support families managing debt. We know about these issues because they are raised with us in the constituency offices but we also need to know that these measures are available because families need a road map of supports, especially in view of new charges, those of water charges and the household charge, coming down the line. This will be a potential mess for families unless such debts can be managed.