asked the Minister for Labour if he will extend the European Orientation Programme to persons under 30 years of age.
9.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - European Orientation Programme.
6.
asked the Minister for Labour the number of persons who participated in the marketplace programme for the years 1986 and 1987.
11.
asked the Minister for Labour the number of people who participated in the European Orientation Programme for 1987 and from January to June 1988.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 6, 9 and 11 together.
Proposals to extend a particular FÁS programme have to be looked at in the context of the total budget available to FÁS and the priorities between programmes. In the present difficult financial situation, I have no plans to provide funds to allow FÁS extend any of the training and placement programmes directed at graduates. In fact there has been a reduction in the Exchequer allocation for such programmes in 1989 over that provided for this year.
The number of persons who participated in the marketplace programme was 491 in 1986 and 578 in 1987.
The number of persons who participated in the European Orientation Programme in 1987 was 165 and 71 participated in the first half of 1988.
In the light of the Minister's reply does he agree that this scheme totally discriminates against young people and that his attitude is an indictment of the Government's attitude to people who are under 30 years of age? Would the Minister look again and ensure that these people are not automatically excluded by virtue of their age from any Government programme?
It is not age that precludes these people, it is their qualification. In implementing cutbacks in these schemes FÁS are looking to the graduates because all the people involved are not graduates. The intention is that people who might have a diploma or no qualification at all will be able to do some of these courses. The present position is that a person who has gone though the educational system and has been very heavily subsidised in university is getting a further £3,500 by working with some employer on these programmes. That is a very heavy subsidy. The Deputy's request that other people should be considered for these schemes is being looked at.
Would the Minister accept that the youth orientation programme is important in the context of our entry into the single market, that this is the most important stage of this programme and experience should be given to people who are under 30 years of age?
I certainly agree that particularly in the lead up to 1992 these courses are important. Private enterprise should, however, fund these schemes. These people have been already highly subsidised. Up until 1 January people who have left school early are not entitled to any allowances whatsoever. While I believe Youthreach is a good scheme I am still providing fairly mediocre allowances of £30 per week for many of these children whereas people who have gone through the educational system are being granted £70 a week while working in private enterprise. Private enterprise should carry this burden. If we had unlimited resources I would be glad to fund these schemes, but we do not.