Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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Question 369: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he has made any efforts at EU level to ensure a greater level of funds are provided to member states for tackling youth unemployment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20506/12]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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In December 2011, the European Commission launched a "Youth Opportunities Initiative" in response to the growing problem of youth unemployment across the EU. The Commission's communique of 20 December 2011 set out a number of actions which will be financed directly by the Commission as part of the Initiative. These include measures to be supported by the European Social Fund and by the ERASMUS and Leonardo da Vinci programmes.

The Department of Education and Skills is responsible for the management and operation of the European Social Fund in Ireland and for administering the ERASMUS and Leonardo da Vinci programmes. I understand that Department has been examining the potential to provide further support for youth unemployment through these mechanisms.

My Department and its agencies do not operate programmes which are directly targeted at addressing youth unemployment. However, many young people will benefit from the employment opportunities that will arise from the Action Plan for Jobs. They will also benefit from the measures set out in the Government's labour market initiative, Pathways to Work.