Seven out of 10 under-25s ‘may have to emigrate’
The shocking findings are contained in a new study commissioned by the National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI), which the group said shows Ireland is set to lose another generation of its young people unless clear policies are introduced to tackle youth unemployment.
The report, entitled Youth Unemployment in Ireland — The Forgotten Generation, also showed that 90% of young employed people felt being out of work had a negative impact on their sense of well-being, which in some cases led to depression and stress.
In addition, one-third expressed dissatisfaction with the level of assistance provided by social welfare offices and Fás.
NYCI president, Orlaith McBride said it was very evident that the Government needed to do more to address the issue.
“To date their response has been unimaginative and ineffective. Too much of the response has been haphazard, ad hoc and motivated by a desire to cut public spending rather than supporting unemployed people to re-enter the labour market,” remarked Ms McBride.
“The implications of unemployment for the individual and for wider society will be devastating, leaving repercussions for generations to come,” she added.
Ms McBride said it was “startling” that official estimates predicted that 58,000 people will emigrate over the next 12 months. She observed that 81,000 people aged under 25 were unemployed with one third of all young males jobless.
The NYCI said the report captured the frustration and anger felt by young people at being shut out of the labour market.
It shows Ireland has one of the highest youth unemployment rates in Europe at 24.2%, compared with the EU average of 19.9%.
Ms McBride said the scale of the problem was masked by the large increase in the number of young people either going back to education or emigrating.
The report concluded that there has been “no coordinated, coherent or focused” policy approach to the needs of young jobseekers in Ireland.
Most young people surveyed claimed the lack of workplace experience was the single biggest barrier to entry in getting a job.
The report’s author, Hugh O’Connor, said being unemployed had also forced many young people to indefinitely postpone important milestone events like getting married, having children and buying a house or car.
The NYCI called for greater training and an increase in the number of staff in social welfare offices and Fás to deal with young people, as well as a charter of rights for young employed people.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
