Work schemes ‘may be a waste’

JobBridge and other schemes designed to help unemployed young people are in danger of being a very expensive waste of money, a report by the European Court of Auditors warned.

The EU is putting €12.7bn into helping countries tackle unemployment among the under-25 age group, with up to 50% out of work in some countries, and more than 20% unemployed in Ireland.

The Youth Guarantee aims to get 7.5m people into training, education or employment, with additional funds provided by member states.