Jillian van Turnhout (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State. He answered some of the questions but he was not in a position to answer quite a number. I ask that those questions are relayed to the Minister for Social Protection and that she would be encouraged to come to the House in January to have the debate she promised us on 7 November on the Irish plan for implementing the youth guarantee.

The Department met with groups such as the Employment Leadership Group. I would also encourage engagement with the youth work sector and youth work organisations. These organisations are best placed to reach those hard to reach young people who are not traditionally targeted in the programmes. The youth guarantee gives us an opportunity to, once and for all, give these young people hope and give them a pathway to work. However, that pathway needs careful guidance and I believe youth work organisations are best placed and have proven time and again that they can do it. The Government cannot deliver this on its own; it should engage with stakeholders and not just consult.