Johnny Mythen (Wexford, Sinn Fein)
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333. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her Department is drafting plans to tackle youth unemployment in County Wexford with specific focus on those not in education, employment or training; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36404/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Latest estimates from the CSO, indicate that the traditional unemployment rate for young persons stood at 19.9 percent for young people in June. However, this estimate excludes those in receipt of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP). When all those in receipt of the PUP are included, this gives a COVID-19 adjusted unemployment rate estimate of 44.2 percent for young people at the end of June. In Wexford alone as of July 6th, there are over 1,200 people under the age of 25 in receipt of the PUP, accounting for approximately 22 percent of all recipients in the county.

While the employment of young people across the country has been significantly affected by the pandemic, we also know from past recessions that they are also the most resilient, with youth unemployment levels typically falling quite quickly once economic activity resumes. Many have already returned to work, and others will continue to return to their previous employment, as public health restrictions continue to ease. This is reflected in the significant decline in the number of people in receipt of the PUP, including among young persons.

However, others will require assistance and support to return to employment, re-skill and to find new jobs. Therefore, Government is supporting a range of initiatives to assist people back to work; as outlined under the Economic Recovery Plan launched on June 1st. The key delivery mechanism to the Plan’s second pillar on ‘Helping People Back into Work’ will be my Department’s forthcoming national employment services strategy, ‘Pathways to Work 2021-2025’.

This strategy, which will be launched later this month, will seek to support people back into employment and will include a range of measures targeted at young persons; including an expanded JobsPlus recruitment subsidy scheme, an additional 50,000 education and training places, a new Government Youth Employment Charter and a new work placement scheme open to all regardless of age.

I am fully aware however, of the differing regional impacts of the pandemic and the need for targeted, localised employment supports. My Department operates a team of Intreo Case Officers and Job Coaches in Co. Wexford (Wexford town, Enniscorthy and New Ross), who provide a one-to-one career advice service and tailored employment supports to young jobseekers. These Officers engage with agencies such as the Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board (WWETB) to support customers, many of whom are young people, to avail of training and education opportunities.

I am confident that the implementation of the national and local policy measures and responses outlined above will assist young people who are seeking jobs to find a pathway back to employment.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.