Sinn Féin TD for Donegal South West, Pearse Doherty has said that “budget 2014 gives young Donegal people just one guarantee – emigration.”
Pearse Doherty TD
His comments come following the announcement of a paltry €14m for the Youth Guarantee scheme and the dramatic cuts to Job Seekers payments for the 22 to 25 year olds.
Deputy Doherty said this Government has no problem standing up in the Dáil asking 24 year olds to live on €100 per week while they themselves did nothing to reduce the pay of Richie Boucher, who currently earns over €800,000 per annum.
“How can the Taoiseach justify this? Despite the fact that Donegal has the second highest rate of youth unemployment, standing at 49% in July 2012, Budget 2014 does not provide hope for young unemployed people.
“Despite promising to provide a youth guarantee for the 53,800 young people officially unemployed across this state the Government has slashed their job seekers payments.
“Young people aged 21 to 24 will lose almost 33% of their weekly payment while 25 year olds will lose 25% of their payment.
“Yesterday the Government broke their promise not to cut core social welfare payments.
“To add insult to injury the much talked about Youth Guarantee scheme is been given a paltry €14 million. This is just 4% of what is required according to best practice across the EU.”
He added it is clear that Fine Gael and Labour are not serious about tackling youth unemployment.
“They don’t want young people to stay and build a future here in Ireland. They want young people to leave.
“Since Fine Gael and Labour took office the number of young people out of work has fallen by more than 20,000. Many of these young people have left Ireland in search of work and a better future.
“Budget 2014 will force many thousands more abroad. Those that remain will be pushed further into financial hardship and poverty.”
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