Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 September 2017
737. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position with regard to youth and the long-term unemployed; the progress made in addressing these issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39886/17]
View answerThe Government’s primary strategy to tackle unemployment – including long-term unemployment and youth unemployment – is twofold. The Action Plan for Jobs supports continuing strong economic recovery and employment growth. Policies and actions to ensure that unemployed people benefit from the increase in employment are set out in the strategy paper Pathways to Work 2016-2020.
To date, these policies have been effective in reducing both youth and long-term unemployment.
For example, the most recent data show that Irish youth unemployment has fallen from a peak of 31.2% in 2012 to 12.7% in August 2017. Irish youth unemployment has thus fallen from well above the EU average in 2012 (23%) to well below the current EU figure of 19.1%.
Over the same period, the rate of long-term unemployment in Ireland has fallen from a peak of 9.5% to 3.6%.
Both the youth and long-term figures can be expected to fall further this year and next in line with the continuing forecast fall in overall unemployment.
Policy continues to focus on support for the long-term unemployed and young unemployed. For example, the Pathways to Work 2016-2020 strategy prioritises long-term unemployed people – most notably through the roll-out of JobPath to engage more systematically with this group; through targeted wage subsidies under JobsPlus; and through reserved places for long-term unemployed jobseekers on employment and training programmes.
Under the Youth Guarantee process there is monthly engagement by case officers with unemployed young people to assist them to prepare and implement personal progression plans for employment. Where young people do not find work quickly, additional supports are offered through places on employment and training schemes.
These current and planned measures, together with the continuing strong performance of the economy, will support further reductions in long term unemployment and youth unemployment.
