Kathryn Reilly (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I would like to apologise for missing the Tánaiste's remarks and those of some other speakers. I might be going over old ground but I wish to follow up on Deputy O'Reilly's comments concerning youth unemployment and the youth guarantee scheme. This committee, through myself, is putting together a report on the youth guarantee scheme, including an examination of other models across Europe.

One of the issues that came up in our meetings with interested groups on youth unemployment and the youth guarantee, was the level of funding. There is concern about the low level of investment that has been committed by the European Council. The sum of €6 billion - even when it is directed at member states with youth unemployment levels of over 25% - is a very small amount of money. Can the Tánaiste indicate whether the Government intends to match that funding under the youth employment initiative and, if so, by how much?

The European Council recommendation calls for youth guarantee schemes to be implemented swiftly and as soon as possible, but we seem to be opting for their gradual implementation. The recommendation says that in member states with high levels of youth unemployment and severe budgetary difficulties, gradual implementation of the guarantee "could be considered". However, departmental briefings on the issue have changed the language and are arguing that the Council recommendation recognises that the implementation "will need to be more gradual". This represents a shift in emphasis. Many of us would argue that, given the high levels of youth unemployment, with young people emigrating and disengaging from local employment services, the Government should be adopting a more urgent approach to measures like the youth guarantee. The Tánaiste said that EU governments need to address the causes of joblessness. Can he provide the committee with a timescale for implementing the youth guarantee? When can we expect to see it? Will it be gradual and, if so, how gradual?

Earlier today, the National Youth Council of Ireland launched its report entitled Time to Go, which examined emigration statistics. According to the CSO's figures youth unemployment is falling, but the number of young people in jobs is also falling. That is obviously being taken up by emigration. If he can do so, the Tánaiste should indicate when the youth guarantee will be rolled out. As we come to the end of Ireland's EU Presidency, it is important to get some meat on the bones, given that youth unemployment is such a priority.