Linda Nelson Murray (Fine Gael)

I apologise for my absence. I had to do stuff on defamation in the Seanad. I am sorry if this issue has been raised already but I spotted it when I read the notes. Almost 58,000 young people aged 15 to 24 years are not in employment, education or training. What can be done for that cohort of people to get them back into education or into the workforce? What supports are needed?

I was also surprised to read that the average wage of a youth worker was €37,000 in 2008 and by 2024, it was only €39,800. In 2008, the average wage in Ireland was €36,000, so they were doing all right then. In 2025, the average wage is €44,000 so they are lagging behind by €5,000. I am disappointed to see that. Youth Work Ireland Meath is based in Navan. Ms Geraldine Hogarty and Mr. Peter Mulligan who work there are great, as is everyone else who works there. I have met representatives of SpunOut and the National Youth Council of Ireland. They do amazing work.

Those are my two pieces: I would like a comment on the wages and on what we can do with the 58,000 people who, the census showed, are not in employment, education or training.