Youth Council: Budget will 'aid a further exodus' of youth

The National Youth Council of Ireland has said it is "disappointed" with the amount of extra training places announced in today's Budget by Finance Minister Brian Lenihan.

The group said: "While any increase is welcome, the scale of the measures announced is far below what is required. With 83,000 young people currently out of work an extra 15,000 places which based on past experience could take years to materialise is insufficient.

They said the extra 5,000 work placement places "does not meet demand" and are concerned about the announcement of 5,000 places in the skills development and internship programme which is dependent on private sector employers.

They said, to date, employers "have been slow to take on young people on work experience programmes".

James Doorley, Assistant Director at the National Youth Council of Ireland, said: "There is little in the way of real investment in job creation and instead all that is offered are cuts to youth services and supports that might keep young people in education or training. This Budget provides no stimulus for young people, in fact it will only aid a further exodus.

"The cuts to supports for those on FÁS and VTOS courses and the introduction of a €200 fee for those taking up Post Leaving Certificate courses will only drive young people especially those on low incomes out of the education and training system and into either poverty or emigration."

Another huge concern for the group is the impact of the introduction of the universal social charge on the incomes of young people earning very little.

Mr Doorley said: "The further cut of €6 to the already very low €150 that young jobseekers aged 22-24 will only compound the difficulty young people are having making ends meet.

"We are also dismayed at the further 7% cut in supports to youth services in this Budget as it follows on from a 10% reduction over the last two years. At a time when demand is increasing the Government is slashing funding to the voluntary youth sector which provides services and supports to young people across the country. It is clear this further unwarranted cut will damage and diminish the services our members can provide to young people in the community."