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.