Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The rate of youth unemployment is totally unacceptable.

Approximately 25% of young people aged between 18 and 35 years are unemployed. This figure does not include those who have emigrated, who would account for 7% or 8% of that age group, thus giving an overall youth unemployment rate of 33% or one third.

Many young people are participating in training schemes. Improvements are required in the roll-out of such schemes and more centres must be provided for upskilling and training. The current system is unable to cope with the large number of people who need assistance. I ask the Taoiseach to consult the Ministers for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Social Protection and Education and Skills to ensure more training centres are provided and greater liaison takes place with employers and industry. It is necessary to provide for matching skills.

I do not need to raise with the Taoiseach the issue of super-size classes-----

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