With limited resources, it is not possible to provide employment scheme opportunities for all unemployed persons and the available resources are targeted at the provision of opportunities for particular categories of unemployed persons. In the case of community employment, it is targeted at persons of 21 years of age and over in receipt of unemployment assistance and at persons of any age who have been in receipt of unemployment benefit or lone parent's allowance for over one year.
FÁS provides opportunities for young people under 21 years of age on its training programmes which I consider is the most appropriate way to deal with youth unemployment. In this context I will be reviewing the provision of opportunities generally for persons under 21 years of age in the context of the EU Youthstart initiative and the FÁS-Department of Social Welfare options initiative for school leavers.