Mr. Paul Maskey:

I thank the Minister and the team for attending. I wish to follow on from Deputy Brendan Smith's points regarding the high rate of young people unemployed and the category of NEETs, those who are not in employment, education or training. I hosted a meeting in my constituency about seven weeks ago with organisations delivering in this area and I was taken aback by the number of organisations. Approximately 20 organisations were delivering in that area and while some of them were doing tremendous work, on which they must be commended, I had not even heard of some of the others. That is a major issue for this committee. I try to put people in my constituency in the right direction with regard to organisations but there is some confusion among our young people. We asked questions and some of the organisations could tell us the number of jobs created on the other side but some could not tell us the number created. It is startling that some of the organisations delivering in this area could not tell us the outcomes in that regard.

I am aware there are similar problems in the South. Is there collaboration between Departments, North and South, in working on this area? If not, can that be enhanced in terms of examining best practice models? Some organisations are doing tremendous work but I am not sure about other organisations. If there are models in both jurisdictions, can we determine if something could be blended together to ensure we provide an excellent service for our young people, thereby reducing unemployment rates.