Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 May 2012
367 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider the possibility of a youth guarantee scheme here, similar to the Dutch scheme for 18-27 year olds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21625/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraPathways to Work sets out the Government’s policy responses to labour market activation. The objective is to ensure that Ireland’s greatest resource, its people, will no longer remain on the Live Register for lengthy periods without an appropriate offer of assistance from the State. To achieve this objective the Government has committed itself to a range of ambitious targets. Two of the most important commitments are:
My Department will engage with each person who becomes unemployed in the future with a view to reducing the average time spent on the Live Register from 21 months today to less than 12 months by the end of 2015.
In addition working with the Department of Education and Skills we will provide in excess of 542,000 places on job placement/work experience and training and education in 2012.
These are significant commitments at a time of reduced resources and reflect the importance placed by this Government on labour market activation measures. However, I am conscious of the particular problems relating to youth unemployment and the need to secure cross departmental involvement in the development of appropriate policy responses. Pathways facilitate such cross departmental co-operation and the effectiveness of the measures announced are being monitored on a quarterly basis.
I note that my colleague Deputy Lyons has indicated that he will be asking the Jobs, Social Protection and Education Committee to give consideration to the development of a youth guarantee proposal. I look forward to reviewing the proposals of the Committee when they are to hand.
