News & Press Room
Penalising Young Job Seekers is Easy Target
In reaction to Budget 2014, Chairman of Macra’s Rural Youth Initiative, Garvan Hickey, said that the extension of the lower rate of Job Seekers Allowance is making an easy target of young job seekers. He said, “Penalising young job seekers for their age is not the way to support Ireland’s youth to find their feet in the current work climate.”
He continued, “Additional investment is needed to support young people to achieve their potential. While the Youth Guarantee is a good start, €14million is only 4% of what the EU deems is best practice. Young people need more help.”
Mr. Hickey went on to welcome the Government’s decision to maintain student maintenance grants at the current level, “After years of cuts, it’s a welcome decision to relieve the pressure on a lot of rural students.”
