Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 29 May 1991

Vol. 409 No. 2

Written Answers. - Unemployment Statistics.

Brendan Howlin

Question:

30 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Labour if his attention has been drawn to the fact that according to official European statistics unemployment among men under 25 years is the highest in the European Community; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

37 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Labour if his attention has been drawn to the fact that according to official European statistics unemployment among women under 25 years is among the highest in the European Community; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Labour (Mr. B. Ahern)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 30 and 37 together.

The recent increase in the level of unemployment among under 25s can be attributed to a combination of factors.

The number of new extrants to the labour force continues to exceed the number retiring from the labour market. There has been a sharp fall in the numbers emigrating to the United Kingdom and the United States due to the downturn in these economies.

In addition there has been a significant increase in the numbers returning from abroad due to the deterioration in the employment situation in several countries. It is clear from these developments that the increase in unemployment is not unique to this country but is part of a more global trend.

However, a major strength in our case is that the economy is well poised to capitalise on the pick-up in world trade which is becoming evident of late after the disruption and temporary lack of confidence caused by the Gulf crisis.

Both the ESRI and the OECD have fully endorsed the present strategy, as set out in theProgramme for Economic and Social Progress, for revitalising the economy and stimulating job-creation which is the only solution to the recent unwelcome increase in unemployment.

At the same time, FÁS CERT and the education authorities will continue to offer a wide range of training, work experience and further education programmes for under 25's interested in improving their skill and educational qualifications.

The Youthreach programme which is specifically geared to low-achievers offers places for up to two years on a combination of education, training and work experience courses. In addition, FÁS operate a variety of programmes designed to improve employment opportunities for women.

The success of Government measures to assist young people under 25 gain a foothold in the labour market has been borne out repeatedly by the results of the school leavers surveys. The latest survey, carried out in 1990, showed that unemployment among school leavers was at its lowest level since 1980.

The survey underlines the importance of educational qualifications in determining job prospects: one year after leaving school, 30 per cent of these who had left without qualifications were still seeking their first job compared with 18.5 per cent of those who left after completing the intermediate or group certificate and 6.9 per cent of leaving certificate students.

I shall continue to keep the trends in unemployment under review, in the context of the Exchequer situation and the funding provided under the Community Support Framework, to see whether any adjustments might be needed.