asked the Minister for Labour if he is aware that this year 33,207 students will be taking the leaving certificate and that 48,538 students will be taking the intermediate certificate; and if he will state the proposals he has to introduce emergency measures to provide employment for them.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Certificate Examinations.
25.
The employment problems caused by the present recession for all sections of our population including young persons are fully appreciated by the Government. The figures, however, given in the Deputy's question greatly over-state the scale of the problem because they do not allow for the fact that large numbers of intermediate and leaving certificate students proceed to further education and training. I might add here that the numbers in educational and training establishments are higher now than ever before.
To keep domestic demand at the highest possible level so as to minimise the effects of the recession and thus maintain employment has been the objective of Government economic policy. The size of the public capital programme shows the extent of our commitment.
Because of the open nature of our economy the public capital programme cannot, however large it may be, neutralise the adverse effects for ourselves of the the depressed demand in the economies of our major trading partners.
I have outlined various measures introduced of direct benefit to school-leavers in replies to a number of recent parliamentary questions including those by Deputies Moore, Lemass and Faulkner on 4th December last. The measures provided for include expansion of the activities of AnCO to enable 9,000 people to be trained in 1976, the start of the community youth training programme, increases in the number of training places for apprentices in AnCO centres and employers' establishments, and additional training courses in the regional technical colleges. Many of these measures will benefit from aid from the European Social Fund.
Has the Minister any statistics as to the number of young persons who completed the leaving certificate examination last year and who have found employment?
We have a survey at present on the employment position of last year's school-leavers. We hope to have the results in a few weeks' time.
That will be available?
Yes.
Would the Minister say who is doing it? Is it the Department or is he getting an outside firm to carry out the survey?
It is being conducted through the National Manpower Service.
In regard to the community project sponsored by AnCO in the eastern part of the country, does the Minister intend to introduce that in other parts?
Yes. What we are doing is seeing how it progresses in the first area of operation in the eastern part and then seeing how it can be expanded to the rest of the country.
Is this project proving successful in the eastern part of the country?
We are reasonably satisfied with the number of projects that have started.