Concerning increase in youth unemployment must be addressed
Concerning increase in youth unemployment must be addressed - The Labour Party
- Research needed on what is driving youth unemployment.
- Impact of AI, automation and tariffs must be understood.
- Emerging evidence of increased rate of job losses and quiet layoffs.
Labour Social Protection spokesperson Mark Wall TD has raised alarm at the concerning increase in youth unemployment, and called for action from the government to ensure young people are supported into work, and given the opportunity to secure a stable and prosperous life in Ireland.
Deputy Wall said:
“Over recent months there has been a slow but steady increase in the rate of unemployment which now stands at 5% in the most recent CSO statistics, up by nearly a quarter since last year, and at it’s highest since the pandemic. It comes after a string of high profile job losses at companies like Fastway, Amazon, Novo Nordisk and Intel, as well as reports of an increase in so-called ‘quiet’ or ‘silent’ layoffs, and pullbacks in hiring.
“What is deeply concerning in the most recent statistics is the stickiness of youth unemployment which has gone from 10.9% a year ago to 13.4% in October 2025. The slow but steady increase must be a warning sign. Many young Irish people have already given up hope of ever owning a home here and already struggle with the high cost of living, with too many already resorting to emigration abroad for a better life.
“I am calling on the Departments of Social Protection and Enterprise to commission research into the labour market conditions being faced by young people. This should consider what impact the tariffs and trade war of Donald Trump is having on hiring and redundancies, and whether the rise of AI and automation is now having a real effect on career prospects for young people.
“Ireland can’t afford to lose another generation to emigration, and we know all too well the impact of unemployment on young people. CSO statistics on labour market churn published in August show there was a 9.4% increase in the number of job ‘destructions’ compared to a year ago, and a 2.5% increase in job ‘separations’ when someone leaves employment, though an overall increase in jobs.
“This uncertainty must be addressed and understood. Promotion of career opportunities and reskilling into sectors vital for Ireland’s future such as construction, the green economy, and the care and health sectors where there are well known shortages of staff should be an urgent priority.”