Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 113 and 437 together.

Youth unemployment has fallen from a peak of over 31% to approximately 25% at the end of 2013. Given the measures being taken to support young people, I am confident that there will be further reductions in youth unemployment this year. In this regard youth unemployment is being specifically targeted through the youth guarantee initiative which I, with officials from the OECD and Minister for Education and Skills, published today. Elements of this initiative are already being piloted in the Ballymun area of Dublin. Following on from a recent meeting with the departmental officials, local employer and community groups involved in that pilot, I can report good progress. Expenditure on programmes providing employment, training and further education opportunities for young people will be in excess of €500 million in each of the years 2014 and 2015. It is expected that, in due course, up to €68 million of this expenditure will be recouped for each of these years from EU funds.

The Deputy will be aware that youth unemployment was a priority issue for Ireland during its recent Presidency of the European Council. One of the elements of the agreement reached at that time is that EU funding for countries with high levels of youth unemployment be front-loaded. This has now been agreed to by the Commission. I wish the funding from Europe, which amounts to €6 billion for some 28 countries, was greater. However, it marks the beginning of an important commitment by the Union to young people. Although Ireland's rate of youth unemployment has fallen to 25%, in some countries the rate is 60% or more, which is a tragedy.

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