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Youth Unemployment

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 July 2021

Thursday, 1 July 2021

Ceisteanna (127)

Brian Stanley

Ceist:

127. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has considered increasing the role of local employment services and jobs clubs as part of the plan to tackle increased unemployment rates for younger persons. [35009/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The impact of Covid-19 on our youth, not least those in the labour market, has been particularly stark. The youth unemployment rate, adjusted for Covid-19, stood at 58.8 per cent in May. While a significant proportion of this number is made up by students in full-time education, it does not detract from the high toll the pandemic has had on the employment prospects of our youth. The Government’s Economic Recovery Plan, launched on the 1st of June, has a specific focus on combating youth unemployment. This plan places particular emphasis on ensuring this younger cohort is diverted away from long-term unemployment. A new Youth Employment Charter, part of the EU's ambitious Reinforced Youth Guarantee, will seek to engage intensively with young jobseekers. In addition, it broadens the definition of young jobseekers to include all those under the age of 30. An expanded Jobs Plus scheme, with 8,000 places overall, will continue to provide a higher incentive for the recruitment of young unemployed people, while the new Work Placement Experience Programme aims to support 10,000 participants by end-2022.Currently, the Local Employment Services and Job Clubs already play a significant role in tackling youth unemployment, specifically those in long-term unemployment. The new models of employment services my Department is now starting to procure with the RFT that was published at the end of May, will maintain this emphasis. Where younger cohorts do become long-term unemployed, every assistance will be given, including access to the most appropriate training to address their needs.The forthcoming Pathways to Work 2021-2025 strategy will reflect the importance the Government places on tackling youth unemployment.

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