Crowe raises youth unemployment in the Dáil

Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Diaspora, Seán Crowe TD, has welcomed the Government’s commitment to prioritise youth unemployment during its EU Presidency, which begins in January.

Speaking after post-European Council statements in the Dáil the Dublin South West TD said:

“It is good to hear that the Irish Presidency of the EU will focus on youth unemployment, but I want to see this issue acted on and delivered during the 6 months that we hold the presidency.

“Some EU Countries, including Ireland, have unacceptably high youth unemployment, yet others have introduced measures that have kept youth unemployment low. We need to seriously look at many of these credible and viable initiatives and adapt them to our local needs and conditions.

“Earlier this month the EU Commission launched its action plan on Youth jobs. The plan is welcome, but it is weak and crucially it does not commit to any new funding to tackle youth unemployment as a problem that needs its own focus.

“We all know that many young people right across Europe were waiting and hoping that something concrete would emerge or that new thinking would gain traction.

“Youth unemployment is running at 30% in this state and it is above 40% in Dublin South West, and even higher in some areas in Tallaght. If we could factor in those young people who have left because of the lack of work that figure would increase dramatically. The 2013 budget created another push factor by reducing the time people are eligible for jobseekers’ benefit.

“I hope progress can be made on youth unemployment during the next 6 months, but with the Commission’s weak and vague plan I won’t hold our breath. Therefore I will continue to press the Government to act on this vital issue.

“Today I suggested to the Taoiseach that there is nothing stopping the launch of a young entrepreneurs fund coming about during the Irish Presidency.

“The Bank recapitalisation can call on 700 billion from the European Stability Mechanism, so surely we could see some realistic proposal emerging during the Presidency for youth employment projects considering that there is so much common agreement across Europe on tackling this growing problem.”