A survey on youth unemployment has found that 70% of those without work say they are likely to emigrate in the next year. The National Youth Council says unemployment among those aged between 15 and 24 is one of the biggest challenges facing the country
The Council says the results of its 'Forgotten Generation' provide a worrying and shocking insight into the difficulties faced by young jobseekers.
70% agreed they were likely to emigrate in the next year and the vast majority said their sense of well-being was negatively effected by being without work.
The report recommends better co-ordination of training, employment and income supports, saying services provided at the moment are not geared towards the needs of jobseekers.
It says additional measures are needed to assist early school leavers and suggests the development of programmes combining work experience, study and job placements.
The report was compiled using surveys from nine focus groups around the country, with participants aged between 18 and 25. Those surveyed were in urban, semi-urban and rural areas.
