Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

The unemployment crisis is ongoing despite the efforts of the Government to present a scenario whereby it stimulates the jobs market and is effective in creating new jobs. While I fully accept the foreign direct investment dimension is very healthy looking with many announcements in recent months and a number of others in the pipeline - we have announcements on a weekly basis which is exceptionally welcome - the reality is that the unemployment rate remains stubbornly high and has not changed from month to month. However, it has changed on a year to year basis and since the Government took over it has increased. What is of most concern is that the number of long-term unemployed, those on the live register for more than a year, has increased by 15,000 people on a month to month basis. These are the statistics which remain stubbornly high. In this context it is incumbent on the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Bruton, to attend the House on a more regular basis. I appreciate he has been here and I know the Leader does his best to ensure Ministers attend the House, but I believe this is the most important issue facing people. In the context of the fiscal treaty it is also important that the Government continues to send out a message of hope and confidence to people, particularly those who are unemployed.

I would like to link this to the revelation made in the past 24 hours by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Pat Rabbitte, that it is unlikely high-speed broadband will be distributed to rural parts of Ireland by 2015 because of the cost. What is revealing in the figures mentioned in the report yesterday is that 22,000 companies do not have Internet access. I find it astonishing in the modern era, when Ireland presents itself at the cutting edge of technology, that 22,000 companies have no Internet access. I am concerned the Government will take its eye off the ball in terms of examining these parts of the country which will now not only be at a disadvantage with regard to other parts of the country but because we are an export-led country they will suffer from international competition. Broadband is now as important as rural electrification was. This is its relevance. Admittedly it is the responsibility of a different Department but it is allied to the question of creating more jobs and confidence and in the context of the jobs initiative the Government continues to roll out, I call on the relevant Minister to come to the House.

Today is Alzheimer's day and I commend those who established an Alzheimer's tea day in the House. I commend to Members on all sides of the House that they contribute in their own way. It is significant that in today's newspapers another significant breakthrough has been announced by a University in the United States and I am sure the Leader will join me in encouraging everybody to acknowledge how serious this condition is. We should continue to highlight it.