asked the Minister for Labour if he will outline the opportunities that exist for young people in this country to work abroad in similar occupations during 1980; and if he has any proposals to increase the number of places allocated to Ireland.

A second Young Worker Exchange Programme among the member states of the European Economic Community was established in July 1979. The objective of this programme is to encourage the exchange of young workers between the member states of the Community. The European Commission provides a contribution towards financing such exchanges. No limit has been set on the number of workers who may benefit from assisted exchanges under the scheme.

In addition Stagiare Agreements are operative between Ireland and certain states which are not members of the European Economic Community—Switzerland, Sweden and Austria. These agreements permit persons between the ages of 18 and 30 years to work in the host country for a period of 12, or exceptionally 18, months for the purpose of learning its language and receiving vocational training or work experience. A maximum of 200 places are available each year for stagiares wishing to locate in Switzerland with 50 places available in both Sweden and Austria. These places adequately cater for the present demand from young Irish nationals for stagiare placements in the countries concerned.

Would the Minister not consider that, due to the proportion of our population who are under 25 years, a case can be made for a higher number of exchanges for our young workers to travel abroad?

The second programe at EEC level was established in July last. We were one of the countries in favour of that programme. We should wait to see how effective that programme is.

Have all the places been availed of?

The places adequately cater for the present demand.

That is not the question I asked. Have all the places that were made available been availed of? Is the Minister satisfied that adequate notice is being given of the scheme?

Last year's scheme was introduced in July and that may have been a bit late. As a result the demand for places was not as anticipated.

How many places were available and not used?

The supply covered the demand last year.

Would the Minister care to answer the question I asked? How many places were available last year and not taken up?

I explained to the Deputy the number of places available each year under the Stagiare Agreement and, as I stated, the number of places available adequately cater for the demand. The question of the exchange of workers between member states is an ongoing worker exchange programme. Obviously, the Deputy does not understand the type of programme that is involved. It is not a question of saying that there are 200 or 100 places; it is a question of promoting, as far as possible, within member states exchange programmes.

In view of the performance of the Government would the Minister consider expanding the scheme to extend to Government Ministers?

They are not under 30 years of age.

That is a separate question.

I am considering the scheme for redundant Deputies in the Dublin area after the next election.

Question No. 60 is for written reply.