Madam, – As one who had the experience of applying for jobs in the late 1960s, I have a profound sympathy for those who are unemployed, especially those aged between 20 and 25 (estimated to be 30 per cent). Only 50 per cent of those seeking to get into third-level education can expect to be accepted.
At least in my time one could cross over to London and get a job on the buses or in bars or as a “McAlpine Fusilier”. Australia was then an option, but this was considered a long-term decision, while the acquisition of a J1 visa provided short-term opportunities in the US.
Few such opportunities now exist. So our educated and skilled young citizens face a psychologically devastating beginning to their future, signing up for a welfare allowance without destination in view. Certainly there is little or no political will or strategy evident to address their plight.
Re-skilling for jobs that do not exist or receipt of a temporary “job-seeker allowance” are not the solution. Decision by new graduates to go for further education offer no guarantee they will be more successful in finding suitable employment.
One can look to a model which exists in the US, the Peace Corps, which President Obama has encouraged by increasing its funding and increasing the number of volunteers.
This is in stark contrast to our Government’s rejection of the recommendation of its endorsed Ideas Campaign in July 2009 which proposed: “Create a new volunteer corps to engage the unemployed in community and voluntary work in Ireland and internationally, without losing their unemployment benefits”.
In addition to the Peace Corps, the US also runs a national and community service, with three programmes designed to meet local community needs in education, the environment, public health and safety, and disaster preparedness and response.
While such experience might not meet the long-term ambition of the growing number of young unemployed, they could feel pride in doing public service which undoubtedly could be character- forming and a valuable entry on their CV, when jobs are being created in Ireland.
One would expect the Government to be promoting solutions to replace the mismanaged Fás schemes, because the frustration of the young adults, whose aspirations were so high, may express itself in very bitter anti-social behaviour to the longer-term detriment of our society. So beware. – Yours, etc,