Politicians are divided over Ballymun Youth Guarantee

A NEW report on the European Youth Guarantee, which was first rolled out as a pilot project in Ballymun back in 2013, has divided local political opinion.

The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) survey based report is broadly supportive of the scheme but highlights shortcomings and areas that need improving.

The report’s section on Ireland, based on an assessment by trade union SIPTU, claims the quality of contracts offered to young people is

“rather bad

? because the Youth Guarantee is built on several existing measures.

It also suggests that while follow up times for youths in certain categories had improved, it seemed Ireland didn’t fully comply with European Youth Guarantee guidelines on early intervention.

Responding to the report, local Sinn Fein councillor Noeleen Reilly said she believed the Youth Guarantee was

“flawed from the outset

?.

“This report highlights that access to the scheme is very limited,

? she said.

“It did not include a number of vulnerable groups, including lone parents, carers or those with disabilities, as young people who are not included

on the live register were not eligible.

“In some instances it is eight to nine months before a quality job, a traineeship, an apprenticeship or continued education is offered.

“The quality of some of the jobs on offer also raises serious concerns in relation to pay and contracts being offered.’

Despite the criticisms, the report also highlights positive aspects of the scheme in Ireland, including an effective approach to reducing dropouts from school and SIPTU gave positive feedback on educational and training alternatives.

Dublin North West TD, John Lyons (Lab), who has championed the Youth Guarantee scheme since it was first implemented in Ballymun, described the comments from Cllr Reilly as

“disappointing

?.

“It is disappointing to see Noeleen criticising an important scheme for Ballymun, particularly as she welcomed it when it was announced in June 2013,

? he said.

“The Youth Guarantee scheme has been very innovative in tackling youth unemployment and Ballymun is the ideal place for such a pilot project to take place.

“That’s why I fought for Ballymun to be Ireland’s national

pilot scheme and to receive

?¬300,000 in European Union funding.

?

Deputy Lyons added that the scheme had been a huge success and pointed to recent CSO figures that show a drop of 29 per cent in youth unemployment in Ballymun last month compared to just under 19 per cent nationally.

He also addressed criticism that the Youth Guarantee was too narrow in scope and should include the under 30s.

“Those on the live register in the 18 to 24-year-old group were chosen as they were significant in number and the Youth Guarantee has worked with 739 young people since it began,

? he added.

“Like all pilot schemes, it is exactly that – a pilot. The lessons from the Ballymun project can be improved upon and added to as the scheme is rolled out across Ireland.

“However, It is important to remember that young job seekers are not a singular group with the same qualifications or even literacy levels.

“Noleen is doing a disservice to the 739 young people in Ballymun who have seen the benefits of the Youth Guarantee and have now started on a career path for the first time.

“This group has worked hard over the last year and with the help of the Ballymun Job Centre and other stakeholders; 79 per cent of them have received an offer of employment, work experience, continued education or training.

“Some people prefer to throw mud from the sidelines rather than talk about genuine success stories and real positives in the community.

?