Hayes: people coming back to the country for 'new opportunities'
Minister for Public Service Reform Brian Hayes has denied it suits the government to see young people emigrating.
Yesterday the coalition was criticised by the OECD for not doing enough to tackle youth unemployment, a problem which has seen thousands leave the country in search of work abroad.
Hayes said youth unemployment is a massive problem but that the government are willing to work with the OECD on tackling the issue.
Minister Hayes also said while young people may be leaving, there are people returning to the country:
Yes, there are lots of young people leaving our country, but equally there are a group of people coming back into this country - Irish people - because there are new opportunities," he said.
"The task of the state and all the joined-up bits of the state to get this right is to make sure we know exactly where those opportunities are, and that we have courses and specific training to meet those opportunities."
Hayes also defended the Jobsbridge Scheme, which he said has seen 50% of candidates go on to full time employment.
"We need those young people to stay … young, talented graduates would be given a nine-month opportunity [and] a little bit more than the dole to stay in this country."
