asked the Minister for Labour if any assessment has been made of the employment prospects of those persons who will finish first level, second level and third level education this year; and, if so, if he will give particulars.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Youth Employment Prospects.
21.
The number of young people leaving education at first level is so small—only about 3 per cent of the total leaving all levels in any year —as not to warrant a survey of all first level schools in the country to establish their employment situation.
Surveys of second level school leavers in 1973-74 and 1974-75 were undertaken by the National Manpower Service of my Department and a similar survey in respect of 1975-76 school leavers is in progress. The 1974-75 survey indicated that in the spring of 1976 about 7 per cent were still available for employment but the destination of 10 per cent of the school leavers was not established.
Similar surveys of university graduates have been undertaken by the Association of Irish University Careers and Appointments Services, The 1974-75 survey indicated that less than 7 per cent of the 1975 graduates were still seeking employment at the end of 1975.
Is it not possible for the Minister to give a straightforward answer rather than to indulge in all this background material? I asked whether any assessment has been made of the employment prospects of those persons who will be leaving various levels of education this year.
Normally Deputy Moore is polite but, unfortunately, he appears to be picking up some bad habits from his colleagues. Instead of asking a question in his usual civil manner he has attempted to be insulting.
I suppose we can expect nothing but courtesy from the Minister.
If Deputy Moore had been listening to the reply he would not have found it necessary to ask a supplementary. For his information I shall repeat the reply. It reads:
The number of young people leaving education at first level is so small—only about 3 per cent of the total leaving all levels in any year— as not to warrant a survey of all first level schools in the country to establish their employment situation.
Surveys of second level school leavers in 1973-74 and 1974-75 were undertaken by the National Manpower Service of my Department and a similar survey in respect of 1975-76 school leavers is in progress. The 1974-75 survey indicated that in the spring of 1976 about 7 per cent were still available for employment but the destination of 10 per cent of the school leavers was not established.
Similar surveys of university graduates have been undertaken by the Association of Irish University Careers and Appointments Services...
Therefore there was no survey in this respect in regard to first level education but there are surveys in respect of both second and third level education. I trust the Deputy understands the position now.
The matter merits another question.
Can the Minister indicate the percentage of 1976 school leavers who did not obtain employment?
I have final figures only in respect of 1975. The figure was 7 per cent in respect of both second and third level school leavers.
Regarding those second level school leavers who obtained employment in 1975 can the Minister indicate whether the employment they obtained was suited to their educational qualifications?
That information was not asked for. Consequently, it is not on the file. However, my contention is that if one cannot obtain the job he is seeking he should take whatever else may be available in the meantime.
In those circumstances is it the Minister's opinion that a school leaver who obtained three honours in his leaving certificate should be packing cans of paint in a factory? Is this work suited to his qualifications?
It might prove very good experience in the future when he will probably find something to suit him better. I had to start in this way and, perhaps, Deputy Tunney had the same experience. It might not be a bad idea for young people to take such jobs for a start.
It is nice to know that.
(Dublin Central): Can the Minister indicate what number is represented by the 7 per cent?
That information is not on the file.
(Dublin Central): It is amazing that the Minister has the percentage figure but not the number.
The Department of Education estimate that 54,100 left the school system in 1975-76 so if the Deputy calculates 7 per cent of that number, he will arrive at the figure he is seeking.