Andrews hints at upskill initiatives in budget

THE budget will encourage the young and unemployed to get into the jobs market as soon as possible, the Minister for Children has said.

Hinting that there may be increased incentives in upskilling or training to return to work in the budget, Barry Andrews said that long-term unemployment had massive implications on young people.

His comments came as a National Youth Council conference discussed the fact that Ireland already has the second highest level of youth unemployment in western Europe, with one in four young men under 25 on the dole.

The figures were produced by Eurostat in July.

Speaking to the Irish Examiner, Mr Andrews said: “The budget will reflect our ambition to ensure that those who are in receipt of unemployment assistance will be encouraged to get into the training, upskilling jobs market as a soon as possible.

“Whatever will be done in the budget will reflect our policy which is towards job activation.”

The National Youth Council yesterday held a conference focusing on helping older teens who have been affected by the recession.

Young talents and skills, including in those who had just left school, would be lost through mass unemployment and forced migration, it was warned.

Eddie D’Arcy, president of the council, said: “While we accept that the year ahead will be challenging, we know the value and importance of the work we do to in promoting the well being of young people and helping them to achieve their full potential.”

Youth organisations and the youth sector in general had experienced a 10% cut in funding this year so far and in some cases had to let staff go, the council said.

Consultant psychiatrist Dr Paul Millar said young unemployed people often exhibited “warning signs” when faced with no job.

These included lack of sleep, failure to mind their personal hygiene like shaving or washing, withdrawing into themselves. Other signs loved ones should watch for if the jobless individual was facing trouble included if they stopped watching their favourite sport or programme on television or if their eating habits change.