Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 November 2013
336. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of young persons not in employment, education or training here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50252/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is estimated by the Department of Social Protection based on micro-data from the CSO Quarterly National Household Survey in the four quarters to Q2 2013 that the average number of young persons not in employment, education or training (NEETs) was approximately 98,000 or 18% of the population aged 15-24. The young unemployed are included in the overall number of NEETs, and high youth unemployment is the main reason why the level of NEETs is also high in Ireland.
Unlike many other countries, Ireland has a universal job-seekers’ allowance available to young unemployed people without prior work experience, as well as similar welfare supports for young lone parents and people with disabilities. The number of persons not in employment, training or education but not registered with the my Department, and thus not captured in the official statistics, is therefore likely to be small by comparison with a number of other European countries.
