Fianna Fail candidate Claudia Kennedy says more needs to be done to deal with youth unemployment across Co Donegal.
Fianna Fail election candidate Claudia Kennedy.
The Stranorlar candidate says our young people are being failed by this FG and Labour Government and are being totally and utterly neglected when it comes to job creation.
“I have watched as so many of my friends have left Ireland in search of work and opportunities abroad. Most of them would have rather stayed at home but without any real prospect of a job they had to choice but to go.
“The longer they stay away the less likely it is they will return; a devastating reality for many families. This is a very sad situation to see an entire generation lost to emigration and the effects will be felt long into the future, when in 10 years time our schools are empty.” says Ms Kennedy.
She asked where was this government promised job creation?
“85,000 young people between the ages of 16 and 25 are not working or in education, that is a staggering 16% of people in that age bracket. Even though our young people are seriously struggling they were hit with a callous reduction in their social welfare from €188 to €100 a week, yet if they were working they would be liable for the same taxes as anyone else, does this seem fair to you?” she continues.
“On top of that it has never been so expensive to attend college with registration fees going up €250 per year, every year, since this government took office and the Higher Education Grant has become increasingly difficult to get. Young people are being priced out of going to college.” says Kennedy.
She pointed to the fact that Ireland’s unemployment rate is the fifth highest in the OECD with almost 379,000 on the live register.
“If it were not for the 200 people emigrating from this country every day the figures would be far higher. This notion that the unemployment crises in this country is getting better is not reflected in these figures.
“Our young people need real jobs and real opportunities and they need their voices heard. The time for action is now before we loose any more of our young people over seas.” says Kennedy
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