Derek Keating (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for giving me the opportunity to make a contribution on this important subject. I am satisfied that the Government is making every effort with the jobs initiative which was one of the points in our five point plan before the last general election. All of our young people need the Government to deliver the opportunity that many of them deserve and for which they are longing. I am talking about those young people who are talented, skilled, well educated and enthusiastic. Many of the issues that affect young people, particularly health related issues, including mental health issues, addiction and even anti-social behaviour, can originate from a sense of hopelessness and even the boredom that often sets in. As has been said before, the figures remain far too high.

During our very successful Presidency of the European Union I was particularly pleased when the Taoiseach prioritised and committed to youth job creation. Within a very short time the country is on the up and investing in our youth will deliver tenfold. A job, just like education, should not just be an ambition but also an entitlement. In her opening remarks the Minister indicated that there was evidence of a significant decrease in youth unemployment, even within the past two years. This should be recognised, particularly when we consider what we inherited just two and a half years ago. We were left a broken economy, with only five months of money left in the kitty. One can only imagine what would have happened if we had continued on the same pathway set out for us by Fianna Fáil - again, not even one of its Members is present for this debate - and the consequences that would have had for the youth of the country, as well as for pensioners, widows and widowers, those who were unemployed and children's allowance payments. We have made considerable progress in such a short space of time. A young person who has a job is in a much better and a much healthier position to deal with the pressures we face in modern day society in Ireland.

I congratulate the Minister on the progress made in a short space of time. I wish her well in the remaining term of this Dáil.

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