asked the Minister for Labour if he will outline in detail the plans, if any, he has for creating employment for young people.
Written Answers. - Youth Employment.
178.
The development of a climate conducive to economic expansion and employment creation is a major objective of the Government's overall policy. This provides the best way to improve job prospects for the unemployed. Young people are particularly well placed to take advantage of improving job prospects because of their level of educational attainment and flexibility.
In my own area, I am concerned to ensure that manpower policy contributes to the development of this climate while promoting social equity for more disadvantaged groups. FÁS play a major role in this regard, through their provision of labour market services such as the following:
(i) to provide, arrange for, encourage and foster the provision of employment schemes; and
(ii) to facilitate and assist local community groups and worker or community co-operatives in the provision of employment.
(iii) to provide placement and training services, which both benefit potential enterprises for instance through the "Start Your Own Business" Programmes and the provision of a pool of trained workers to facilitate the expansion of existing and new undertakings.
I have asked FÁS to review all employment and training programmes. As a result an improved integrated and harmonised package will soon be developed for the maximum assistance to individuals, co-operatives and local communities.
The operations of CERT are also beneficial to employment creation through its provision of training and of advisory services to the tourist industry which are identified in the Programme for National Recovery as offering significant prospects for employment generation.