Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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631. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the details of the youth employability initiative; the funding available; the issues it will address; the age group it will target; the anticipated number of participants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38170/15]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I was pleased to announce the Youth Employability Initiative on the publication of the National Youth Strategy 2015 – 2020 last month. The Initiative will provide €600,000 in grants to the voluntary youth services for programmes that target disadvantaged young people to improve their employability.

My Department administers a range of funding schemes and programmes to support the provision of youth services by the voluntary youth sector to young people throughout the country including those from disadvantaged communities. The funding schemes support national and local youth work provision to some 380,000 young people. Young people who engage in youth work activities have the opportunity to attain specific skills which can enhance employability. These skills include learning to learn, social and civic competence, leadership, communication, teamwork, and entrepreneurship. There is growing recognition, both in Ireland and across the EU that these are the ‘soft skills’ that are relevant and applicable to industry and valued and sought after by employers.

The new Youth Employability Initiative, which is funded under the Dormant Accounts Scheme, will target those young people aged 15 to 24 years who are most at risk of unemployment and who are not in education, employment or training for intensive support. The Initiative will support the provision of innovative programmes for them to enhance their employability skills and competencies. The closing date for applications is 5th November 2015. My Department will have a clearer indication of the numbers of young people that will benefit, when the applications are processed. Full details of the Initiative are available from my Department's website, www.dcya.gov.ie.