Denis Landy (Labour) | Oireachtas source

This week, we had a report from the CSO which provided a lot of information. It showed that the unemployment rate is starting to fall, although gradually, and also that employment is gradually rising. It also showed that we have had population growth of 350,000. I want to commend the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Ruairí Quinn, on noting this early in his Ministry and for providing the necessary schools across the country to deal with the issue.

The report also notes that, since it started in July 2011, almost 15,500 people have participated in the JobBridge scheme and 61% of those have gained employment within five months of their internships. Some 81% of participants have expressed satisfaction with the scheme. It is worth noting that the private sector provided 11,000 positions for participants, with the public sector providing 3,500 and the voluntary sector 1,500. I ask the Leader to call on the Minister to encourage the public sector, which includes local authorities and the various semi-State bodies, to participate more in this scheme, increase their numbers and allow graduates the opportunity for work experience, given 61% of participants have gained employment within five months of completing the scheme. This is a good scheme. The Minister should require the public sector to engage more in it to ensure graduates can get the necessary experience to put on their CVs in order to get employment.

Senator Leyden has put down a good marker in regard to the use of this Chamber. It reminds me of a time I went into a county council meeting to discover the staff had taken over the council chamber for their own purposes, although they did not stay there for too long. The primary use of this Chamber is for the workings of the Seanad.

That is what it should be used for and I hope that will be noted and that what Senator Leyden said will be taken on board.