Original article. 

Labour Youth are proud to campaign for the PES/ECOSY proposal for a European Youth Guarantee.  This is an excellent proposal, which is now being considered by the European Commission.  Under the proposed Youth Guarantee, every young person in Europe will be offered a job, further education or a work-related internship following four months of unemployment.

On 8 September, Labour Youth, Emer Costello MEP and John Lyons TD held a public meeting in Dublin on the European Youth Guarantee.

Dublin Labour MEP Emer Costello said, “It is critical that European resources are marshalled to reduce youth unemployment. The Youth Guarantee is already a proven success in Austria, and is currently being implemented across other EU Member States. While today’s event is aimed at increasing awareness in Ireland of the Youth Guarantee, I also plan to hold further discussions with the European Commission in coming weeks about potential funding avenues.”

Dublin North-West Deputy John Lyons said “With unemployment at 30% among those aged under 25, youth unemployment in Ireland needs to be tackled as a matter of priority.

“The Government is working to rebuild our economy by creating jobs and opportunities in Ireland. By introducing a ‘Youth Guarantee’ we could complement this work by ensuring that all our unemployed young people are given options – in work, education or job-related training – to allow them unlock their potential and realise their ambitions. I will be working with my colleague Emer Costello MEP and Labour Youth to build on our campaign to introduce this guarantee and help turn the tide on youth unemployment.”

Speaking on the issue, Labour Youth National Vice-Chairperson Luke Field said: “The proposed European Youth Guarantee is a great opportunity to make a tangible and positive difference in the lives of young people both in Ireland and across Europe. It is easy to see how European economic woes have disproportionately affected young people, and unless something is done soon, many of them will be condemned to long-term employment difficulties creating a huge negative impact on society. We hope that this meeting today will engage the public, in the campaign for a European Youth Guarantee, particularly during the negotiation period ahead of the National Budget for 2013.”