Youth jobless rate one of worst in EU

Ireland’s youth unemployment rate is one of the worst in Europe.

A major new EU study shows that, despite a series of highly publicised Irish job deals, the generation, it is hoped, will lift us out of the economic crisis, is being left on the sidelines.

The 171-page European Monitoring Centre on Change document said one in three Irish 15-24 year olds were out of education or training and one in five 15 to 29 year olds were on the dole in Dec 2011. The rates are almost 40% higher than the EU average.