Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 February 2013
400. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide data in relation to youth unemployment in an area (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5158/13]
View answerThere were 2,690 persons under 25 on the Live Register in Co. Kildare in December 2012. There are three social welfare offices in Kildare – the majority sign on at Newbridge (1,405), followed by Maynooth (869) and Athy (426). This is the most detailed level of statistics currently available for the Live Register and there are no specific figures for the mid-Kildare area. Under 25s make up 15% of the total Live Register in Kildare, down from a high of 22% in July 2009. The number of under 25s on the Live Register in Kildare has decreased by 6% from 2,863 twelve months previously, having peaked at 3,926 in August 2009.
Young people, typically, suffer disproportionately from job losses in recessions as they tend to have entered employment more recently, are more likely to hold temporary contracts and to be employed in cyclically sensitive industries than older workers.
In the first instance, the Government’s primary strategy to tackle youth unemployment is to create the environment for a strong economic recovery by promoting competitiveness and productivity. Economic recovery will underpin jobs growth. Past experience suggests that youth unemployment, which tends to rise relatively rapidly in a downturn, can be expected to fall relatively rapidly during the recovery.
In addition to promoting economic recovery, the Government recognises the need for interim measures to support the young unemployed and keep young jobseekers close to the labour market. There are five main approaches being taken to tackle youth unemployment: education, training, job search assistance/guidance, work experience, and encouraging job creation. These actions range across a number of Departments and Agencies. These initiatives are being rolled out in all areas across the country including mid-Kildare. Details of these initiatives have already been outlined in earlier PQs relating to youth unemployment.
