This afternoon Minister Joan Burton, Emer Costello MEP and Deputy John Lyons were in Ballymun to mark the announcement of funding for a year-long pilot Youth Guarantee project in Ballymun.

Ballymun was selected as one of the first Youth Guarantee schemes to proceed in the EU following funding approval by the European Commission and the Government.

Speaking about the pilot scheme Minister Burton welcomed the scheme calling it ‘hugely significant’ in terms of increasing opportunities for young people in the area.

“My department is currently developing an action plan to implement the Guarantee in ireland from next year, and Ballymun can show the way in terms of developing the best practice and partnership to ensure that young people get the work, training and educational opportunities they need.”

Emer Costello MEP said: “Last October, I visited Ballymun Jobs Centre and discussed the potential of the proposed Youth Guarantee with Manager Mick Creedon.  I was hugely impressed by the services provided by the Centre and commitment of its staff to the local young people.

“In February, I was delighted to welcome a delegation from the European Parliament’s Employment & Social Affairs Committee to Ballymun to see the holistic approach that is being taken to community development in the area.”

Deputy John Lyons said: “The pilot will work by engaging any young person in Ballymun under 25 who comes onto the Live Register in Ballymun during the year-long pilot, as well as the 360 young people currently on it in for over 12 months. The local job centre will engage up to 90 young people a month in total from these two groups.”

Under the scheme, the Department of Social Protection, education and training providers and local development organisations, youth services and employers will team up to provide work, training and educational opportunities for young people in the area.