Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 February 2026
78. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Social Protection the new action his Department is taking to reduce high levels of youth unemployment in the economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15653/26]
View answerAccording to the quarter 4 Labour Force Survey, released by the CSO on 19th February, the rate of youth unemployment stood at 9.8% in the last quarter of 2025. This was lower than a year earlier when the rate stood at 9.9%.
My Department is monitoring these developments closely, as it drafts the successor strategy to Pathways to Work, the government’s national employment services strategy. This strategy will include priorities for various groups, including young people, and will be published this year.
The performance of the labour market overall is monitored through Labour Market Updates, quarterly publications which examine emerging labour market trends, and are used by the Labour Market Advisory Council and independent policy experts.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
