asked the Minister for Labour the number of places offered to young people from west Cork under the social guarantee for young people; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Social Guarantee Scheme.
11.
The situation regarding the implementation of the social guarantee in west Cork is that 84 persons were identified as being early schoolleavers and were contacted. Eventually, provision had to be made for 55 persons who were still unemployed and were available. Of these, the National Manpower Service placed three on their work experience programme, one on another special programme, and six in full or part time employment.
Of the 45 young persons remaining, the actual number is likely to be considerably lower as many of that number will already have found employment, or will have returned to full time education, or will be unavailable for placement for a variety of reasons.
Ideally, these young persons should be accommodated on suitable training programmes such as a community training workshop, an AnCO skills foundation programme or a suitable vocational preparation and training programme in a local school. The agencies concerned are exploring how they can be accommodated as quickly as possible.
I would point out that this is the first year of national implementation of the social guarantee and that the brief of the YEA is to phase it in over a five-year period. It is only to be expected that some problems would emerge which would require attention and action in future years — this includes the better matching of sufficient places to meet demand. Overall, on the basis of the information I have received, I am pleased with the progress to date of the implementation of the social guarantee.
Is the Minister aware that this scheme applies to the most disadvantaged young people in the country, young people leaving school without any qualifications? This is another example of this uncaring Government's attitude to disadvantaged young people. In west Cork 49 places were identified, the National Manpower Service informed local people that 45 places would be allocated and on 29 May they decided that they had no money to allocate and they scrapped the 45 places. Will the Minister of State give an assurance that those unfortunate young people will be granted places under that scheme?
I understand that the local placement officer of the NMS has placed ten of the original 55 persons. He is working actively with regard to the 45 young persons by submitting them for employment where possible and they are being contacted at present. The Deputy can rest assured that AnCO are being asked to make a special effort to make available additional places in west Cork.
I am not satisfied with that reply. Is the Minister of State aware that the local co-ordinating committee have been informed that no money is available? Any sort of waffling around with an answer in regard to this means very little to the unfortunate children involved. I would like an assurance that they will be allocated the places for which they were interviewed and to which they were looking forward to proceeding with their places on the courses.
After the meeting of the local liaison unit on 24 April a letter was sent to AnCO by the chairman asking AnCO to provide 45 training places for special programmes in the area. AnCO are being asked to make a special effort in that regard. They replied to the effect that they were unable to find the resources to provide the places required in the locations of Bantry and Clonakilty, but AnCO have provided social guarantee places in east Cork and in Kerry. ACOT and CERT seem to have made no contribution in that context. Far from waffling around, I assure Deputy Walsh that AnCO are being asked to make a special effort to secure additional places in west Cork.
A special effort is really no good. We want an allocation of money. The Minister of State will appreciate that I am not particularly interested in south Kerry or east Cork. I am interested in west Cork and in those people getting their places on the courses.
I understand why the Deputy is interested in west Cork. The NMS are attempting to find additional places for those young people on the work experience programme. I hope that the request made to AnCO and their special efforts will bring about places in west Cork.