Deputy Broughan received replies to Parliamentary Questions today regarding young adults in receipt of Jobseeker’s payments for more than 12 months and also on the number of 18 – 24 year olds signing on at Dublin Intreo offices. At the end of September, there were 10,548 under 26’s in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance for more than 12 months and 6,799 under 25’s are signing on at Intreo Offices around Dublin. 413 of these are in Coolock and 283 are in Kilbarrack which are both Intreo Offices in Deputy Broughan’s constituency of Dublin Bay North. The PQ reply stated that “It should be noted that the Live Register is not a definitive measure of unemployment as it includes part-time workers, and seasonal and casual workers entitled to Jobseeker’s Benefit or Allowance.”
“Number of persons under 25 years of age on the Live Register in Dublin City and County Intreo offices, September 2017
| Intreo Office | Persons under 25 years |
| Balbriggan | 301 |
| Ballyfermot | 350 |
| Ballymun | 384 |
| Bishop Square | 449 |
| Blanchardstown | 534 |
| Clondalkin | 624 |
| Coolock | 413 |
| Cork Street | 488 |
| Dún Laoghaire | 257 |
| Finglas | 588 |
| Kilbarrack | 283 |
| Kings Inn Street (Parnell Street) | 278 |
| Navan Road | 375 |
| Nutgrove (Rathfarnham) | 162 |
| Swords | 248 |
| Tallaght | 1,065 |
| Dublin City and County | 6,799 |
Source: CSO Live Register”
“The number of persons under 26 years of age in receipt of jobseeker’s allowance, jobseeker’s benefit and credits with a duration greater than 1 year at end of September 2017
| Age | Jobseeker’s Allowance | Jobseeker’s Benefit | Credits Only |
| 18 | |||
| 19 | 906 | ||
| 20 | 1,379 | 3 | |
| 21 | 1,439 | 2 | |
| 22 | 1,544 | 3 | 5 |
| 23 | 1,578 | 5 | 9 |
| 24 | 1,661 | 5 | 13 |
| 25 | 2,041 | 16 | 15 |
| 10,548 | 29 | 47 |
Minister Doherty also confirmed that in Budget 2018 she “announced the introduction of the youth employment support scheme (YESS) which is targeted at young jobseekers who are long-term unemployed or who face barriers to employment. This new work experience programme aims to provide them with the opportunity to learn basic work and social skills in a supportive environment while on a work placement. Participation in the scheme will be completely voluntary, and participants will receive the equivalent of a net minimum wage payment”. She confirmed that “the details of the new scheme are still being finalised” but that it is hoped to be launched during Quarter 2 2018.
Deputy Broughan says “A measure of generational solidarity in Budget 2018, which I’ve called for is the equalisation of Jobseeker’s payments for under 26’s. Increasing this payment by €30 per week would have cost just €24 million. It is unfair that under 26’s continue to be discriminated in this way because Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have an unrealistic image of what life is like for young people in Ireland. We have seen huge increases in the numbers of homelessness in this age group. I have also been asking the Government about plans to increase access to apprenticeships and will continue to advocate for varying options for training and education for young adults across Ireland”.
