Government failure to create jobs leaves little option for leaving cert
students – Crowe

Sinn Féin Education Spokesperson Seán Crowe TD has said the Government
must invest in a jobs creation package to stimulate the economy and to
give our young people a future in their own country.

Deputy Crowe was speaking at a protest held today by leaving cert
students who were highlighting the lack of employment options for them
as they leave school and the problem of emigration.

Deputy Crowe said:

“Thousands of leaving certificate students will get their results
tomorrow but the unfortunate reality for many of them is that if they
cannot afford or do not want to go to college the only option open to
them is emigration.  That is the sad reality we live in today in
Ireland.

“The failure of this and the previous government to invest in a proper
economic stimulus and job creation package has extended the unemployment
crisis.

“Despite the promises of both Fine Gael and Labour in the run up to the
general election they have delivered a miserable jobs initiative with
only €29 million of expenditure on capital projects and €11 million on
additional training places.

“Fine Gael promised an investment of €7 billion to create 100,000 jobs.
Labour promised a jobs fund of €500 million and a Strategic Investment
Bank with funds of €2 billion.

“Sinn Fein believes that the government must invest €2 billion from the
National Pension Reserve Fund to fast track labour intensive
infrastructure projects and to assist small and medium sized businesses
to save and create jobs.

“The government should stop using taxpayers’ money to bailout
unguaranteed bondholders.  Rather they should be using this money to
stimulate Ireland’s domestic economy.”