Concern over level of youth unemployment

CONCERN has been raised at the level of youth unemployment in Wicklow.

This comes after it was revealed that 512 young people in the county under the age of 26 have been in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance or Benefit for six months or more.

According to James Doorley, Deputy Director at the National Youth Council of Ireland, the Wicklow figures mirror the national situation where over 11,711 young people are longterm unemployed.

‘ The EU Youth Guarantee Programme guarantees a work, education or training opportunity to any young person unemployed for four months or more. In 2013, the Government committed to the implementation of the Youth Guarantee in Ireland. Yet four years on, despite the improving economy and labour market, we still have too many young people out of work,’ said Mr Doorley.

The NYCI is calling on Government to develop an action plan under this scheme in order to reduce the number of young long term unemployed to 5,000.

It is hoped that this would reduce long term youth unemployment by more than half by the end of 2018.

‘It is vital we support young jobseekers into education, training and work experience and prevent the drift into longterm joblessness. This will require a renewed focus on the implementation of the Youth Guarantee and the provision of additional education and training places,’ Mr Doorley added.