Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 April 2026
45. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection if he has given consideration to implementing bespoke employment programmes to tackle rising rates of youth unemployment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31210/26]
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%. The rate of those Not in Employment, Education, or Training (NEET) stood at 6.8%, among the lowest in Europe.
My Department provides numerous supports and initiatives specifically tailored to combat youth unemployment through its Intreo network and employment services teams.
Pathways to Work, the national employment services strategy, includes young people as a priority cohort, and integrates the European Youth Guarantee which commits Member States to providing a quality offer of employment, education, apprenticeship, or training to those under 30 within 4 months of becoming unemployed.
To support the Youth Guarantee, young jobseekers profiled as at greater risk of long-term unemployment are targeted for more frequent engagement with Intreo Job Coaches and Employment Personal Advisors (EPAs).
Additionally, young people benefit from reduced eligibility requirements for a number of employment support schemes. Persons under 30 need only be in receipt of a qualifying payment for 4 months to access both the JobsPlus recruitment subsidy and the Work Placement Experience Programme (WPEP), a 6-month work placement which includes accredited or sector-specific training.
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 strategy is informed by a wide-ranging public consultation process held last year that involved civil society groups, employers, and unions, and individual young jobseekers. The new strategy will continue to prioritise young people facing disadvantage in the labour market to ensure that no one is left behind. It is expected to be published later this year.
