asked the Minister for Labour if he has any special proposals to deal with the high youth unemployment in Finglas and Ballymun, Dublin which has been estimated to be in excess of 50 per cent of those between 15 and 25 years.
Written Answers. - Dublin Youth Unemployment.
681.
The high level of youth unemployment in the Finglas and Ballymun areas is recognised and a wide range of programmes which aim to improve the employment prospects of participants are currently in operation. An AnCO training centre with 384 training places was recently opened in Finglas and about 1,100 people will be trained there this year in addition to those undertaking external programmes. Another AnCO training centre at Baldoyle will be completed shortly and the availability of this training facility will allow for greater access to the Finglas Centre for unemployed youths recruited more directly from the locality than present arrangements permit.
The Youth Employment Agency is giving special attention to the unemployment problem in Finglas and Ballymun and has initiated a range of contacts with local and community groups, some of which have already resulted in the commencement of projects and additional proposals for the area are now under examination by the agency.
I am satisfied that the agencies concerned in addressing the problem of youth unemployment are adopting a serious and concerted approach to the particular needs of the Finglas and Ballymun areas. I would be pleased to facilitate the Deputy with detailed information on the very wide range of projects and proposals concerned with making an impact on the high levels of unemployment among young people which currently exists in the localities in question.