Youth unemployment was high on the agenda for today’s meeting of European Ministers for Social Protection and Employment which was part of a two-day event held in Dublin Castle as part of the Irish Presidency. Chaired by Minister Joan Burton, the theme of yesterday and today’s meetings was ‘Getting people into work’.
“Unemployment when young has been shown to have lasting negative effects throughout a person’s life, which makes it imperative to tackle the youth unemployment crisis in Europe, “ Minister Burton said.
“I am committed to ensuring that the Council Recommendation on a Youth Guarantee can be agreed at the formal Ministers’ Council on February 28 th, which President Van Rompuy will also attend, highlighting the importance of this issue. There are detailed negotiations ongoing and I have listened carefully to the issues and concerns expressed by my colleagues and I will work very hard over the coming weeks to find an agreed solution that will support the young people of Europe.”
Listen to ‘Minister Joan Burton speaking on the EU Youth Guarantee’ on Audioboo
During the session ministers discussed for the first time a proposal for an integrated European public employment services bench-learning initiative and for the need to work with stakeholders to ensure that young people who are not in employment, education or training have access to the services available to put them on the pathway to work.
Photo: Irish Labour Party
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