Almost 1,000 Louth youths have no job

ALMOST 1,000 young people in County Louth have been unemployed for six months or more, it has been revealed.

New data from the Department of Social Protection show that the number of young people under 26 in Louth in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance or Benefit for 6 months or more is 895.

The National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) has expressed concern at the number of young people who are facing unemployment in Louth for a number of months.

Nationwide, there are still 11,000 young people who are longterm unemployed, according to figures from the youth council.

The council, whose members work with over 380,000 young people nationwide, has highlighted concerns at the number of young people in Louth who are unemployed for 6 months or more.

Commenting on the figures James Doorley, NYCI Deputy Director said: ‘ We are concerned at the number of young people who are unemployed in Louth, particularly those unemployed for six months or more. ‘ 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.’