Kathryn Reilly (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State. I very much support Springboard. Some people might be shocked that I am supporting something. It is apt that I speak in support of it after Senator Cummins. Any scheme that opens up higher education is very much welcomed by me and my party. The reskilling across Ireland of workers who lost their jobs during the economic crisis is a priority for all of us. The nature of the crisis was that it affected certain industries, areas and age groups more than others.Those of us from rural areas know all too well the effect the recession has had on employment in our communities, counties and constituencies. As much as there is a need to reskill workers for new emerging industries, there also needs to be greater effort in attracting companies in these emerging industries to areas outside Dublin. While it might seem parochial, efforts should start to be made in attracting these industries to the Border region, as well as in the midlands and the west.

In many instances, unemployment can hit workers in perfectly functioning and profitable companies. In Cavan and Monaghan, we recently had the closure of the Bose plant. The workers were skilled and the factory was profitable but the decision was taken by the heads of the company to move the operations to another country. In instances such as this, outreaches should be made to bring similar industries back into an area compatible with the workers’ skills.

Third level institutions must be commended on their support for and delivering on the Springboard scheme, as well as other activation schemes in which they play a role. This shows the intrinsic value of these institutions. It also highlights how these institutions are often underutilised and their potential in implementing these programmes.

There is a need for third level institutions to be opened up to more of our citizens in whatever way possible. I am delighted with the continuing upward trend in female participation in third level institutions. However, more needs to be done for women re-entering the workforce, be it through Springboard or other measures. More also needs to be done for women already in the workforce. Up to 50% of women over the age of 15 are currently in the labour force and make up 46% of all those in employment. In terms of labour market participation, however, women are more likely to work on a part-time basis and almost 70% of all part-time workers are women.

Springboard could be improved in areas such as eligibility. Affordable child care should be prioritised as this would help women enter into employment, as well as helping them move from part-time to full-time employment. One issue with which I am concerned is the type of employment being created across all sectors. We want to see decent work created and a living wage paid to workers. One of the most devastating impacts of the economic and social crisis is the prevalence of low pay while salaries at the upper echelons of the labour market have soared. We must ensure this economic inequality does not permeate the economy too much. The prevalence of precarious work is a worrying trend.

More could be done for labour activation. We need to seriously look at what works and does not. For that reason, I urge the Government to prioritise direct funding to schemes such as Springboard. We are all unanimous in supporting this and the work it has done. Senator Ó Domhnaill referred to JobBridge, concerns which we share. There have been criticisms of how it has been used, perhaps even abused, and how some young people have even been exploited on it. My colleague, Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh, recommended we get rid of JobBridge and put forward an alternative scheme. Schemes such as Springboard and JobsPlus are working very well. More funding needs to be put into such schemes rather than into those such as JobBridge.

I commend the Government on introducing schemes such as Springboard and JobsPlus which are work-related and of great benefit to people who take them up, involving real jobs, real pay and terms and conditions. They help a generation of people whose skills may have been redundant to upskill and allow them become jobs-ready. As many Members have mentioned, there are employers who want these skills. If we are giving them the skills, it is a win-win situation.