Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 November 2015
182. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the extent to which she continues to be in a position to avail of European Union support to alleviate youth unemployment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40594/15]
View answerThe Youth Guarantee Implementation Plan for Ireland, submitted to the EU, provided for over 28,000 programme opportunities for unemployed young people in 2014 and the same in 2015. This figure excludes some 24,000 places provided for young people through PLC courses and apprenticeships. These PLC and apprenticeship places, together with the wide range of vocational third-level courses provided for the young, although not reserved for unemployed jobseekers, nevertheless contribute to the spirit of the guarantee. The Plan also details how the Youth Guarantee is to be funded through the Youth Employment Initiative (YEI) and European Social Fund (ESF).
The YEI is being managed as part of Ireland’s relationship with the ESF under the Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning 2014-2020, for which the Irish Managing Authority is the Department of Education and Skills.
I am informed that he total amount of YEI funding for which Ireland is applying in relation to the years 2014-2018 is €68,145,419 in respect of overall relevant programme expenditure of €204,436,537. It is anticipated that the YEI funding will be matched by a similar amount of ESF funding, with the balance coming from matching domestic expenditure. In the normal course of events, this amount of YEI funding will be drawn down as final claims are made in respect of these years. However, I understand that an advance payment of €21,465,806.99 was made to Ireland under the YEI earlier this year.
Youth unemployment has fallen from 70,000 (an unemployment rate of 31.1%) in July 2012 to 36,800 (19.7%) in October 2015.
