Jobs Initiative a failure, says ISME
The Government's Jobs Initiative, which targeted the tourism sector, is not working, according to Mark Fielding, chief executive of the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association.
“With the best will in the world, educational and training programmes, internship schemes and other such initiatives have a very limited capacity to get people back into the workforce,” he said.
“The Government must publish and implement a comprehensive three-year plan, dealing with business concerns, including the high cost base, lack of credit and late payments, which will provide clarity to taxpayers.
“Only when businesses and individuals are clear about Government plans, which affect their future commitments, expenditure and incomes, will they be in a position to invest and spend, with the resultant employment benefits.”
The Live Register report showed 88,770 under-25s signing on in August.
Youth Work Ireland warned that training and education commitments are not sufficient to address the huge numbers of young people looking for work.
Spokesman Michael Mc Loughlin said: “We all know unemployment is the number one issue in Irish society today but youth unemployment needs special attention as nobody wants to see a whole generation cast aside during this recession.
“If young people drift into long-term unemployment in substantial numbers, it may be hard to rescue that situation when any recovery occurs.
“It is also relatively easier to target young people for education and training measures during the recession as they are closer to the education and training system.”
