Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 February 2013
150. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will confirm plans to tackle youth unemployment in Tallaght, Dublin 24; if she will appreciate the large youth population in the region and the need to give hope in respect of future job opportunities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9226/13]
View answerThe 2011 Census provides the most recent statistics on the youth population in Tallaght. According to the Census, there were just under 10,000 young persons (aged 15-24) in the Tallaght area in 2011, which represents just under 14% of the total population. There were 2,178 persons under 25 on the Live Register in Tallaght in January 2013, down 7% on the same month last year.
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 Tallaght. Details of these initiatives have already been outlined in earlier PQs relating to youth unemployment policies at the national level.
There are some programmes specific to Tallaght that are also being run. Job Clubs are open to job ready job-seekers between the ages of 18 years and 65 years. Two Job Clubs will be run in Tallaght in 2013 - the Tallaght Village Job Club and the Bolbrook Job Club. In addition to this, travellers, ex-offenders, refugees, people with disabilities and Drugs Task Force referred clients, over the age of 18 years, may be eligible to participate in Community Employment. The VECs are also very active in relation to YouthReach and other programmes in the Tallaght area.
