Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

122. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the labour activation measures put in place by her Department, considering many sectors are facing recruitment challenges and unemployment stands at 10.2% youth unemployment and 3.4% for persons of 25 years plus. [14840/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The labour market in Ireland experienced a strong recovery as the economy emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall unemployment is among the lowest in the history of the State, at 4.2% in the last quarter of 2022. Young jobseekers are typically among the most disproportionately affected by recessions and economic shocks, however, they usually recover rapidly with labour market improvements. The seasonally adjusted youth unemployment rate for February stood at 10.2%, lower than the pre-pandemic average in 2019 of 12.5%. The importance of targeting support for young people towards opportunities for employment, education and training is reflected in the European Council Recommendation 'Reinforcing the Youth Guarantee' which was adopted in October 2020 and replaced an earlier Recommendation that established a Youth Guarantee in 2013.

The Government’s national employment services strategy, Pathways to Work, aims to support jobseekers finding and maintaining quality employment. With specific focus on tackling youth unemployment under the Strand of Working for All, Pathways commits to a number of actions aimed at supporting young jobseekers that reflect the recommendations of the EU Reinforced Youth Guarantee.

Delivering on this, Intreo, Ireland's national public employment service, provides a one-stop shop for all income and employment support services in all Intreo Centres across the country, where all citizens regardless of age can access job-seeking advice, information on vacancies and income support services all in the one place. Employment Personal Advisors and Job Coaches deliver a mandatory activation and case management services for unemployed jobseekers. In addition, JobsIreland.ie is a free online recruitment and job matching platform where jobseekers apply for open vacancies and register to be matched with recruiting employers.

In supporting young jobseekers in particular the following additional number of measures to support young jobseekers are being progressed:

- young jobseekers who are considered most at risk of becoming long-term unemployed are engaged with every two weeks under a new intensive engagement model;

- eligibility for the JobsPlus financial incentive for employers has been extended to those who recruit jobseekers under the age of 30;

- in July 2022 Intreo rolled out a national programme of early engagement for young people in receipt of a disability payment, as committed to in Pathways, ensuring those interested in getting a job are offered all available support;

- during 2022 in addition general recruitment events, 29 were held specifically for young jobseekers. During Intreo Construction Work and Skills week, held in May 2022, 12 events were specifically targeted at those aged under 30. These events were to highlight potential careers in the construction sector and in particular apprenticeships and training options via the ETBs;

- under the Work Placement Experience Programme launched in July 2021, 263 young people have voluntarily participated in a placement. The target for the programme is to have at least 40% of participants under the age of 30 with the current participation rate running at 45% which is positive. Over 40% of those young jobseekers who have finished their WPEP placement, moved into employment.

Finally, Pathways to Work includes a commitment to re-launch and promote a new Employer Youth Employment Charter, with a target of signing up 300 employers who will support young people to transition into employment – the proposed new Charter is being finalised at present.

I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.