Will the Minister explain the degree of co-ordination between his Department and the Department of Education with regard to unemployed people taking on courses, particularly where a person does not qualify for ESF courses, is on low income and has to meet the cost of the course plus books which can run to something like £1,000? In what way can the Departments co-ordiante to assist such a person?

The co-ordination takes place through the local manager and the VEC in the first instance, and that has been working very well. I compliment VECs for their efforts and co-operation in that respect. In relation to additional expenses, there is some provision for travel but not for everything. This is another question which is not totally met at this stage. Nevertheless, it is a very substantial improvement.

Are we moving forward?

We are intent on providing allowances, such as travel and lunch allowances.

In the context of the question raised by Deputy O'Keeffe, would the Minister accept that what is being requested would, in the long-term, result in a saving to the Department as unemployment rates among third level graduates is only 4 per cent compared with 17 per cent or 18 per cent of the entire workforce?

The Deputy is aware that I work under legislation passed by this House and this legislation requires people to be available for work and actively seeking work in order to qualify for social welfare payments. I have a general power to deem certain people to be available for work when they are on some of these courses but the regulations I am bringing in will make it possible to deem courses other than those which have been set up to date as suitable for this purpose. I am afraid Deputies will have to wait for the detailed regulations.

I cannot let this opportunity pass without asking the Minister to admit that he has sat on this scheme for three years with masterly inactivity. Would he ensure that when he makes the regulations they will allow all courses that could qualify without any additional expense to Government funds other than those under the control of his Department and attempt to include all ESF courses where people are willing to meet expenses themselves, as well as developing the fully funded schemes in conjunction with the Department of Education?

As far as possible that would be my objective in the regulations. That is why I took the power, apart from what has already been done because I could see what had been done would not meet the situation and the Minister was restricted and could go no further. It is a sizeable step at this stage and a very important one. Consequently, the regulations have to be agreed and hopefully they will be available shortly.

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