Mr. Ivailo Kalfin:

In terms of visibility, our humble experience shows that the very interest of this committee in the European Year of Youth is already increasing the visibility. This is what we have seen and we will be happy to work further with individual Deputies and Senators on different strands and issues. We continue our research and we can help with knowledge and data. We even have very good conference facilities here in Dublin. These issues should be visible and seen, and our involvement with the committee and its members is very welcome.

The Deputy asked a question about the globalisation fund. This is the fund which is supposed to help the transition after companies close down as a result of globalisation. I have to go back to my years when I was serving in the European Parliament together with Deputy Harkin and working on these issues. Unfortunately, there is no ring-fencing for young people and especially for NEETs in the use of the globalisation fund under the European regulations. However, this might be a policy at national level. I would add not only the globalisation fund but also the whole green transition, the green social fund which is currently being discussed in the European institutions, and the national recovery and resilience plans that are submitted. A national policy could rely on EU funding to address the issues of young people. Clearly, and this is what our research shows, they are one of the candidates to have dedicated, special policies and eventually a ring-fenced budget for them.