YOUNG PEOPLE PAYING THE PRICE FOR GOVERNMENT INACTION
Issued : Monday 14 June, 2010
Local MEP Alan Kelly has called for urgent action to be taken to curb the rising number of people under-25 on the live register.
Kelly said “The trend of people under-25 forced to sign on the live register is unacceptable. Young people all across Tipperary are being hit hardest when it comes to unemployment.”
According to the latest CSO figures for May 2010, there are now 3448 under-25’s on the live register in Tipperary.
The live register for May in Tipperary saw 216 additional young people signing on in Tipperary.
“In the storm of attention surrounding the banking crisis and the public finances, the real people behind these live register figures are being forgotten.”
“Every day across Tipperary, almost seven people under the age of 25 are being forced to sign on the live register due to the lack of options.”
“When examined closer the figures reveal that young males are almost twice as likely to be unemployed as young females.”
“Measures must be taken urgently to tackle the blight of youth unemployment and force it back to the top of the agenda.”
“New ideas and positive action are required as with each passing month the outlook becomes increasingly bleak”
“In Tipperary there are now 2222 males and 1226 female’s under-25 on the live register. This has climbed considerably from April 2010 when the figures were 2112 and 1120 respectively.”
“This trend cannot be allowed to continue. We are at the beginning of the summer season when traditionally young people find seasonal employment but it would appear those jobs are just not there in 2010. “
“The under-25 group are one of the most vulnerable groups when it comes to a turbulent employment market and they are paying the high price for the current government’s mismanagement.”
According to Jens Bjornavold, expert from the European Centre for the Professional Training, by the year 2020 there will be 7 million more jobs across the EU, 10 million more than before the current economic crisis.
Kelly added “The global economy has changed, traditional methods must be altered to incorporate innovation and research, as well as training and education programmes to ensure we have people that are prepared to re-enter the workforce at the earliest opportunity.”
