Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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391. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of the employment and youth activation charter; if the charter is still in operation; if so, the number of employers that signed it in each year since it was launched in 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50742/19]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Employment and Youth Activation Charter (EYAC) was launched on 29 September 2014 during a period of very high youth unemployment (25%). The aim of the charter was to encourage companies to consider and support young jobseekers currently on the Live Register when recruiting. Companies are also actively encouraged as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) agenda to develop and participate in initiatives to support and increase the employability skills of jobseekers. This may include site visits, job shadowing, CV preparation, participating in up-skilling initiatives or attendance at recruitment events.

To date, 652 Employers have signed up to the Charter and these employers have undertaken 724 Activities. Since the upturn in the economy and the increased level of employer engagement in other vehicles to reflect corporate social responsibility (CSR) such as with Business in the Community Ireland and the Open Doors Initiative, the numbers of employers newly signed up to the Charter has reduced. The Department is actively involved with both of these initiatives to embed youth activation as part of employers CSR agenda.