Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I am very unhappy at the level of unemployment generally and particularly youth unemployment. This is a problem that is not that easy to rectify. As we know, young people leave the country for other lands to find work. That is why the Government focused on the JobBridge scheme, which has 6,000 people employed, and the Springboard and Tús schemes, which make particular reference to young people. In identifying unemployment generally as a real challenge, the Government published a report with 270 propositions for businesses to open doors, to ensure that credit is available to businesses. The second quarterly report of the action plan is due for publication very shortly. I hope the measures being taken will add to the first report and make it more beneficial and effective for employers. The conclusions of the European Council meeting last week raised these issues as a follow-up to the previous meeting, where I was involved in discussions. The point at index (d) in the conclusions, which I am sure the Deputy has read, dealing with unemployment and addressing the social consequences of unemployment for young people in particular - 50% in Spain and Greece, and rising in other countries - recommended stepping up efforts to increase youth employment, notably to improve young people's first experience with work and their participation within the labour market, with the objective that within a few months of leaving school, young people either receive a good quality offer of employment, continued education, an apprenticeship or traineeship that can be supported by the ESF, and developing and implementing effective policies to combat poverty and support vulnerable groups.

The recommendation was for member states to implement their national jobs plans swiftly and effectively, to develop more ambitious and precise plans for national jobs for the next European semester, to avail of the opportunities that are now going to become available under the enhanced leverage from the European Investment Bank, resulting from the fact the Council agreed the project bonds, which had only applied on the intercontinental infrastructure projects but which can now apply to all countries, and for creative use of unused structural funds, with particular reference to young people. These are opportunities on which Government will reflect following the decisions of the European Council meeting last week with specific reference to youth unemployment. Through our own action plans for jobs and opportunities the Minister of State with responsibility for small business will continue to present, we will give more young people the opportunity to work and avail of opportunities in Ireland rather than having to leave.

I share the Deputy's view about this. It is a source of disappointment that because of the lack of confidence in the indigenous economy, this figure is much too high. The Government's focus will continue to deal with young people and opportunities for them.

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