Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 June 2026
626. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection the specific projects or programmes undertaken to reduce the number of people under the age of 30 who are unemployed; and the total estimated cost of such projects or programmes. [45521/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland’s efforts to support young people into employment are collected in Pathways to Work 2021-2025, the Government’s national employment services strategy and overall framework for activation and employment supports.
Commitments listed in section 4 of Pathways to Work, “Working for All - Leaving No one Behind”, contribute to meeting Ireland’s obligations under the Reinforced Youth Guarantee-a pledge by the Member States of the European Union to provide a good quality offer of employment, education, or training to those under the age of 30 within 4 months of becoming unemployed.
My Department, through its Intreo network provides a number of supports to address youth unemployment. Young people under 30 who are profiled as being at risk of long-term unemployment are targeted for intensive engagement by Intreo public employment services. Additionally, my Department promotes the Employment and Youth Engagement Charter, a call-to-action to employers to commit to using Government employer incentives and supports and to recruit young jobseekers and other priority cohorts.
Jobseekers under 30 also benefit from reduced eligibility criteria on certain employment programmes, with access to the JobsPlus employer recruitment incentive and Work Placement Experience Programme both having a reduced requirement of 4 months in receipt of a qualifying payment.
Supports are provided to young people, and other cohorts, through the following schemes. Cost estimates provided per the 2026 Revised Estimates.
|
Scheme Name |
Scheme Description |
2026 REV Estimate (€'000) |
|
Community Employment
|
CE is designed to help people who are long-term unemployed (or otherwise disadvantaged) to get back to work by offering part-time and temporary placements in jobs based within local communities. Training is provided under CE. |
415,027 |
|
Tús |
Tús is a community work placement scheme providing short-term working opportunities for unemployed people provided by community and voluntary organisations in both urban and rural areas. |
94,544 |
|
JobsPlus |
JobsPlus is an employer incentive which encourages and rewards employers who offer employment opportunities to individuals who are unemployed. |
2,522 |
|
Work Placement Experience Programme |
The WPEP is a 30 hour per week voluntary work experience programme |
5,380 |
|
Wage Subsidy Scheme |
The WSS gives financial incentives to private sector employers to employ people with a disability |
25,723 |
|
Back to Work Education Allowance |
BTWEA is a scheme that supports people getting certain social welfare payments to become self-employed. |
30,944 |
My Department has commenced work on a successor Pathways to Work strategy, informed by a public consultation process, engagement with the community and voluntary sectors, regional workshops, and an analysis of labour market research, trends, and international best practice.
This successor strategy will continue the work of the previous strategy by setting relevant, ambitious targets, with a strong evidence base, to provide further education, training, and employment opportunities for all, including to those facing additional challenges to accessing the labour market, including young people.
