Labour Youth calls on the government to set out a strategy for youth employment, training, and education
Labour Youth is calling for increased investment in opportunities for young people following the release of a Eurostat report this week showing that a fifth of all young people in Ireland are not in receipt of training, education or employment.
National Chairperson of Labour Youth, Grace Williams commented: “While it is heartening to see that youth unemployment has dramatically decreased over the last number of years, it is clear that there are still existing gaps in an inadequate system, leaving young people without any training, education or employment.
“Across the country today, thousands of excited students will be making decisions about their future after receiving their Leaving Cert results today, with many going on to third level education. With the discussion around third level funding ongoing since the Cassells Report was released, it is essential that public funding is seen as the only viable, long-term solution which will eradicate barriers to access, allowing education to be accessible and a reality for all.
“For a lot of students, however, this is simply not a suitable option for their desired career path or for their circumstances. Further investment in young people is required to ensure that all young people have opportunities available to them, and not just those who want to pursue further education opportunities. An increase in the places available for and diversity of apprenticeships would vastly increase opportunities for young people, something which should be available across the entire country in a variety of different sectors.
“We also state our support for the calls by the National Youth Council of Ireland for a reversal in cuts made to payments for young jobseekers. Young people who are unemployed must be able to live without fear of poverty while searching for employment. We must ensure a decent standard of living for all people, below which no one in our society should fall.
“With an increasingly competitive labour market for young people, it is imperative that the government sets out a strategy for youth employment, training, and education. We are calling on the government to set out this strategy upon the return of the Dáil, and to work with other political parties and key stakeholders to ensure its implementation.”