TROY URGES GOVT TO CONSIDER FF PLANS ON TACKLING YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT

Posted by Robert Troy TD 09/08/2012

• Troy urges Govt to consider FF plans on tackling youth unemployment
  
  
  Longford-Westmeath Fianna Fáil TD Robert Troy has called on the Government to seriously consider Fianna Fáil's proposals on tackling youth unemployment. It comes after the CSO revealed last week that the rate of unemployment among under 25s reached nearly 40% last year.
  
  
  Fianna Fáil published a detailed strategy on tackling youth unemployment in May. The proposals included an ICT training scheme for 100,000 young job seekers, a new IFSC internship scheme for 1,000 young job seekers, the addition of 5,000 more graduate places on JobBridge, and dramatic reform of education, welfare and employment services including the introduction of education and training vouchers for under 25s.
  
  Deputy Troy said: “We now have a situation where nearly half of young people in some parts of the country are unemployed. In Longford there are just over 1,000 people under 25 are on the Live Register and almost double that in Westmeath (see table) and we know that the extent of the problem nationwide is being masked by the number of people emigrating for work or staying on in education. We urgently need an ambitious plan to deal with this crisis.
  
  Social Welfare Office Jul-2012 (U-25s)
  Longford County total 1005
  Westmeath County total 1997
  Westmeath breakdown:
  Athlone 799
  Castlepollard 218
  Mullingar 980
  Source: Central Statistics Office
  
  “The latest CSO figures must act as a wake-up call for the Government. Their various jobs plans have all failed to address the specific issue of youth unemployment, and have completely underestimated the extent of the problem. We need to show young people that there will be opportunities and that there is a future for them here, and that specific targeted measures are being introduced to support them in getting on the career ladder.
  
  Deputy Troy concluded: “Fianna Fáil’s proposals are realistic and affordable and I am urging the Government to give them serious and urgent consideration. We estimate that the plan will require an initial investment of €52 million but the cost of not taking any action is far greater.”