Youth can drive our recovery, if given the chance

THERE has been much comment on the burden we as a State are passing onto our children and young people, as a result of the momentous decisions taken in recent weeks to seek international financial assistance.

It is likely they will be paying back this debt for much of their lives. This of course ignores the reality that they are already paying a high price for the mistakes of those in positions of authority and power in recent years.

The recession is hitting young people hard. One in three young men under 25 is out of work. The figures for October 2010 show there are over 82,000 young people on the Live Register. This does not include the many thousands who have already emigrated in hope of a job and a better life. We know from our own research conducted with young jobseekers, to be published in early 2011, that many thousands are planning to leave in the next 12 months.