LABOUR Senator Jimmy Harte this week welcomed the EU Youth Guarantee which he hopes will assist some of Donegal’s 3,944 under 25 year-olds who are currently looking for work.
The local senator said that while the agreement is its formative stage, the Youth Guarantee seeks to offer all those under 25 years of age, an opportunity of employment, continued education, an apprenticeship, or a traineeship, within four months of becoming unemployed.
Secured in principle this week by Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton, at an EU meeting of European Social Protection and Employment Ministers, the Youth Guarantee represents another constructive step taken by Labour in Government to get people back to work.
“With 7.5 million young jobseekers across the EU, the problem is clearly not confined to Ireland. In addition to existing funding streams, the European Council has set aside €6 billion for a Youth Employment Initiative, which will go towards not just the Youth Guarantee, but also for further training and education schemes for young people.
“While the recent increase in employment figures is to be welcomed, clearly targeted initiatives are needed to help young people who may lack the skills, to avail of new jobs coming on stream. The crux of the Youth Guarantee is to provide our young people with the key skills they need to find their path into long-term, successful careers,” Senator Harte added.
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