Speaking following publication of the latest CSO figures on unemployment Cork South Central Senator Jerry Buttimer has slammed the government for ignoring the problem of youth unemployment. The CSO figures have revealed that in Cork City and Carrigaline unemployment in people aged under 25 has now reached, 4,195.
Senator Buttimer said “This government is in a complete state of paralysis when it comes to tackling any issue, instead of tackling the one issue that will get this country out of the recession, unemployment; we need to get people back to work.”
“Our young people are some of the most qualified and highly skilled people in the World. Instead of trying to get them back into the workforce this government appear to have given up on them. This is leading to thousands of young people emigrating abroad. Sadly for many young people this is the only option they see available to them.”
Senator Buttimer continued “Fine Gael believes it is ridiculous that we should pay for the education of thousands of young people and then just stand idly by and watch them emigrate. That is why we have produced a plan to reduce the amount of young people in unemployment by one third over the next 12 months, through internships, community employment schemes, education schemes, apprenticeships & workshare programmes.”
Concluding Senator Buttimer said, “This plan will reduce the amount of young people on the live register by almost 30,000, it is achievable, realistic and targeted. I urge the government to adopt Fine Gael’s jobs initiative for young people, otherwise we might lose one of the most talented generations we’ve ever produced.”