Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 95 and 108 together. I do not think we have ever reached this number of questions.

In line with EU and OECD jurisdictions, reduced rates for young jobseekers were introduced from 2009 on a phased basis to tackle high youth unemployment. These measures guard against the development of long-term welfare dependency by providing young jobseekers with a strong financial incentive to engage in education or training or to take up employment. If a young jobseeker in receipt of the reduced jobseeker’s allowance rate participates on an education or training programme, he or she receives the maximum rate of jobseeker's allowance of €198.

Age-related reduced rates do not apply to jobseekers with a qualified child, those transferring directly to jobseekers allowance from disability allowance and 18 to 24 year olds who were in the care of the Child and Family Agency during the 12 months before they reached 18 years of age.

The youth employment support scheme, which I launched in September, is a work experience scheme for long-term unemployed jobseekers aged 18 to 24 or who face significant and particular employment barriers. Participants will receive a minimum of €229.20 per week or a weekly top-up of €22.50 if they have dependants.

To date, these policies have been effective in reducing both youth and long-term unemployment numbers on our live register, which is exceptionally welcome. For example, the most recent data show that Irish youth unemployment has fallen from a peak of 31.2% in 2012 to just under 12% in October 2018. There has been a significant drop in the number of Irish youths who are unemployed.

Irish youth unemployment, which was at 23% in 2012, has fallen well below the EU average of 14.9%.

See this speech in context