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Youth Guarantee

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 March 2014

Thursday, 6 March 2014

Ceisteanna (102)

Kevin Humphreys

Ceist:

102. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Social Protection in relation to the youth guarantee scheme implementation plan, the groups that his Department will be engaging with in the areas (details supplied) for its rollout and implementation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11249/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Implementation of the Youth Guarantee is a medium-term policy of the Irish Government. It is envisaged that the guarantee as it affects those aged under 18 years will be implemented within 2 years, i.e. by the end of 2015. The guarantee of an offer of training, education or work experience for those aged 18-24 years after a four month period should be implemented on a phased basis.

Starting in 2014, and for completion by the end of 2014, processes and programmes will be progressively rolled out to ensure that all of those young unemployed people who need most support (i.e. are assessed as having a low probability of securing employment in the absence of support from the Public Employment Services) will receive a Youth Guarantee offer within four months.

During 2014 – 2015 all long-term unemployed young people under 25 will be engaged by the Public Employment Service and will receive a Youth Guarantee offer if still unemployed after four months of this engagement process commencing.

The operation and coverage of the Youth Guarantee offer described above will be reviewed before the end of 2015, in the light of developments in the economy and in the labour market. Should the labour market situation of young people improve during this period the review will examine opportunities to broaden and deepen the level of supports offered in respect of those young people who continue to be unemployed.

The groups that the Department of Social Protection will be engaging with in any specific area of the country will be determined primarily by the level and trend of youth unemployment and the resulting demand for places, and the programme mix of such places, in each area. Given the number of factors involved, it will not be possible to make detailed advance projections of the groups that the Department will be engaging with for its rollout and implementation on an area-by-area basis.

Estimates of expected take-up of places on a national basis have already been made. It is not yet possible to outline the profile of the participants expected to avail of the Youth Guarantee provision at local level. Local implementation of the Youth Guarantee will be a matter for the respective Department of Social Protection Divisions in each respective divisional area.

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