Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 April 2026
34. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps his Department is taking to combat current high levels of youth unemployment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22100/26]
View answerAccording to the latest CSO figures, youth unemployment stood at 9.8% in Q4 2025, down from 9.9% from the same period in 2024. The seasonally adjusted monthly youth unemployment estimate for March is 12.5 percent. However, these figures are subject to revision upon release of the Q1 Labour Force Survey. The rate of those Not in Employment, Education, or Training (NEET) stood at 6.3%, among the lowest in Europe.
My Department provides numerous supports and initiatives to combat youth unemployment, through its Intreo network and employment services teams. Under the EU’s Youth Guarantee, young people under 30 should receive a quality offer of employment education apprenticeship or training. Young jobseekers profiled as at greater risk of long-term unemployment benefit from more frequent engagement with Job Coaches and Employment Personal Advisors (EPAs).
Young people benefit from reduced eligibility requirements for a number of employment support schemes. JobsPlus, a recruitment subsidy for employers of up to €10,000 to hire an unemployed person, is co-funded by the EU for jobseekers under 30. Under-30s need only be in receipt of a qualifying payment for 4 months to become eligible for the standard rate of JobsPlus.
The Work Placement Experience Programme (WPEP) was designed to support jobseekers and break the cycle of “no work, no experience” by providing 6-month work placements of 30 hours per week. Participants gain valuable on-the-job experience and complete 60 hours of training, including 20 hours of accredited or sector-specific training. This keeps young jobseekers close to the labour market and aims to prevent scarring effects from long-term unemployment. Under-30s also require only 4 months in receipt of a qualifying payment before becoming eligible for WPEP.
My Department works closely with employers to support the hiring of young jobseekers and promotes the uptake of supports like JobsPlus and the JobsIreland vacancy platform.
In addition, the Employment and Youth Engagement Charter was launched by the Department in 2024. Employers who sign up to the Charter pledge to support young jobseekers by taking part in activities such as mentoring, CV assistance, or attending information sessions on hiring young jobseekers through Intreo. To date, over 300 employers have signed up to the Charter.
My Department is currently drafting the successor strategy to Pathways to Work, the national employment services strategy. The strategy will be informed by the wide-ranging public consultation process held last year that involved civil society groups, employers, and unions, and individual young jobseekers. The strategy will recognise the labour market challenges facing certain cohorts, including young people, despite positive employment developments. It will focus on ensuring those facing additional barriers to work are supported to find and sustain quality employment. It is expected to be published in Quarter 2 of this year.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
