Caít Keane (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will return to the important business of youth unemployment. The Minister, Deputy Burton, outlined the size of the problem, but it is being tackled by the Government. I congratulate the Minister on the EU initiative that is being advanced. She said much about it. Unemployment is being tackled on an EU-wide basis. As it is such an important issue, the Irish Presidency of the EU has made it a priority. The Minister outlined that, in chairing previous and upcoming meetings, ensuring that young people are returned to work is a priority for her. The EU takes the issue of youth unemployment seriously. Ireland has driven this area and is working with Ministers from various member states on the €6 billion employment initiative which will target the most affected regions to return young people to work. The youth guarantee scheme offers people aged between 18 and 24 years the chance to return to work.

This is not the only initiative undertaken by the Government. As Senator Clune stated,-----