Cuts to PLC courses ‘make a mockery of jobless pledge’

The Government’s budget cuts to post-Leaving Certificate (PLC) courses make a mockery of commitments to tackle youth unemployment, a youth work organisation has claimed.

As the effects of increased pupil-teacher ratios on courses being taken by more than 30,000 students became clear this week, Youth Work Ireland says those courses need to be ramped up instead of cut.

“The cuts fly in the face of commitments given by the Government to support a youth employment guarantee at EU level. Our own research suggests thousands more education and training places will be required to deliver on a youth guarantee, rather than cutting what is in place at the moment,” said Youth Work Ireland’s Michael McLoughlin.