Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Question Nos. 9, 16 and 27together.

In 2013, my Department will spend approximately €3.66 billion on jobseeker’s benefit and allowance. It is one of the highest spends by the Department. At the end of October 2013, there were 67,990 persons aged 26 or under in receipt of jobseeker’s allowance. Data included in the most recent Quarterly National Household Survey published by the CSO a few days ago is encouraging in respect of youth unemployment. It shows that the rate of youth unemployment in the 15 to 24 age bracket decreased from more than 31% to 26.5% over the year to the end of quarter 3 of this year. This is a very positive outcome for the recovery of jobs.

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