Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 May 2015
53. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her plans to assess the long-term benefits to the participants of the Ballymun Youth Guarantee pilot scheme; and, in view of the dearth of private sector jobs arising from the scheme, if she will ensure that these will be long-term jobs, and not just a temporary strategy to massage live register figures. [17318/15]
View answerThe Government's primary strategy to tackle youth unemployment is through policies to create the environment for a strong economic recovery by promoting competitiveness and productivity. However, the Government recognises that as the recovery takes hold, there is a need for additional measures to ensure that as many as possible of the jobs created are taken up by jobseekers and young jobseekers in particular. This is the rationale behind the Government's Pathways to Work strategy and the Youth Guarantee.
The purpose of the Ballymun Youth Guarantee (BYG) pilot project was to test key elements to inform the national roll-out of the Youth Guarantee. It built upon recent broader reforms, such as enhanced employer engagement and earlier and more intensive engagement with young jobseekers through Intreo.
The project officially finished on the 31st December 2014. It will take time to see whether the opportunities taken up by young people through the BYG project have had a positive impact in terms of improved employment and other outcomes. The local Intreo office continues to work with participants (through the Ballymun Job Centre Guidance Counsellors) to progress them towards employment opportunities that continue to emerge as the economy recovers. It is recognised that the shortage of private sector job opportunities for young people (and older people) in Ballymun was a significant issue during the course of the project.
It is clear that the project has been highly successful in building the participants' confidence and ability to move towards employment. From the perspectives of both the participants and the staff involved in the delivery of the service, the BYG approach has contributed towards the development of career identities, improved self-esteem and human and social capital.
