merrion street

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris TD has today (Thursday) met with the National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) and Youth Work Ireland to discuss youth unemployment and reforms to the education and training system.

Speaking today, Minister Harris said: “COVID-19 has caused major challenges for young people. The opportunities to travel, to work, to be on college campuses have been curtailed as a result of this pandemic.

“We know over 195,000 people aged up to 34 are on a form of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment.

“As we start to consider life post-pandemic, we must work together to ensure young people are at the heart of our economy and society.

“Within my own remit, we have invested €200 million in training and education, skills development, work placement schemes, recruitment subsidies, and job search and assistance measures, to help those who have lost their jobs find a new one, retrain, or develop new skills, in particular for emerging growth sectors.

“We have also placed an emphasis on apprenticeships with the publication of a new Action Plan on Apprentices and a scheme encouraging employers to take on apprentices.

“I want to thank both organisations for meeting with me today. I am very eager to work with both and co-operate with them on a plan for action on how we can help rebuild lives and create opportunities for young people.

“I will work with my Government colleagues to ensure young people are at the heart of our plans for recovery.”

ENDS