DOUBLING OF YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT HIGHLIGHTS FF BETRAYAL OF YOUNG PEOPLE

Issued : Wednesday 27 October, 2010

EU figures published today, (see below), indicating a doubling in unemployment rates among the under 25s in Ireland, between 2008 and 2009 highlights the extent to which Fianna Fail has betrayed the young people of Ireland.

According to these figures, youth unemployment sky-rocketed from 12.7 per cent in 2008 to 24.2 per cent in 2009, and we know that things have got even worse this year.

In fact, a broken economy and catastrophic levels of unemployment are the only legacy of the failed Fianna Fáil regime over the last twelve years.
Underinvestment in education and lack of opportunity for young people has embedded inequality into our society. The young people of Ireland are facing into a dark future created under Fianna Fáil's failed ideology.

Last month Labour Youth published "Reclaim the Future" a document setting out a series of key Labour Party principles and outlining the steps that need to be taken to achieve a fairer and more equal society - the steps that Labour would take to achieve such a society when we are in government.

Labour Youth believes for example, that we need to reform the taxation system by so that it is an engine for true social and economic equality, which means closing off virtually all of our property-based tax breaks.

We also believe in that investment in education, at all levels, should be protected, even in times of such economic uncertainty.

With youth unemployment rising fast and the awful spectre of mass emigration looming, it is no wonder that many young people will feel increasingly angry about the political system, and increasingly cynical about politics. This is Labour is offering a clear reason for young people to get engaged in politics, to stay active and to channel their anger and frustration into achieving change.