asked the Minister for Labour the number of new jobs created in the building industry as a result of the inclusion of the construction industry in the employment incentive scheme.

Up to 24 November 1978 premiums under the employment incentive scheme had been paid in respect of 1,228 new jobs in the building industry and applicants in respect of a further 472 new jobs are at present under examination.

Could the Minister indicate the up-to-date position in relation to this scheme?

The scheme has been successful since its extension to the services sector. The total figure up to 24 November was 9,140 as compared with a total of 2,698 for the ten months of 1977. Of the youth job seekers in that 9,140, approximately 3,528 are school leavers.

Does that figure apply solely to the construction industry?

No.

Would the Minister accept that the scheme introduced by Deputy O'Leary when he was Minister has been very successful?

For the Deputy's information, I should point out that the extension of the scheme to the services sector, the building construction industry and the hotel and catering industry has meant a tremendous improvement in the assistance of this scheme. For example, the figures on the youth side for the period 1 January to 24 November 1978 are 3,528, whereas the comparable number of young people assisted under the entire scheme for the ten months of 1977 was 682. That proves the importance of the extension to the services sector in the assistance of youth employment.

Will the Minister accept that much of the improvement, such as it is, in the register of unemployment has been achieved through the employment incentive scheme? Would he be gracious enough to concede that the idea was Deputy Michael O'Leary's and not his?

I discount what the Deputy says in relation to jobs for young people. The improvement in aiding youth employment is mainly due to the extension of the scheme to the services sector.