Government Challenged to Address Youth Unemployment – Ní Shluáin
Navan Town Councilor Sinn Féin’s Caoimhe Ní Shluáin has challenged the government to address the issue of youth unemployment. Speaking at a Sinn Féin Youth forum in Navan last week Cllr Ní Shluáin made reference to the fact that 88,000 people under the age of 25 are now on the live register of which 8,065 are currently living in the Mid-East region of this state.
Cllr Ní Shluáin said:
“The policies of this government are failing young people, their families and their communities.There are 88,000 people under the age of 25 on the live register of which 8,065 live in the Mid-East region which covers counties Meath , Kildare and Wicklow".
“This is an outrage, I myself have just finished college and have firsthand experience of the difficulties faced by the young people of Ireland today. I have watched as many of my friends and classmates having graduated from college have been forced to leave for foreign shores in search of employment. Families, communities and this country are losing a generation. We are losing the very people who, given the opportunity, would provide the foundation stone Ireland needs to turn this recession around and kick start a new era of economic growth that would get this country back to work”.
Cllr Ní Shluáin went on to say:
“Since this government came to power youth unemployment has increased by 8.34%. The policies of this government are failing our young, failing us all.
“It is an insult that high paid ministers talk about unemployment being a lifestyle choice, when the only choice facing our young people is the dole queue or the boat.
“Sinn Féin has advocated investment in our young people and the economy. We have put forward plans to invest in jobs, education and training.
“Unlike our young people this government has choices to make. It can continue with the failed policies of cutting public services and paying billions to failed speculators or it can invest in our young people and the economy.”
