Minister for Finance Michael Noonan and Minister for Social Expenditure Paschal Donohoe discussing Budget 2017 at government buildings on Tuesday; James Larkin

So, about that budget.

James Larkin (no relation) writes:

An Open Letter from a Young Jobseeker to the Government

“All weekly social welfare payments … will rise by €5 per week” –

Paschal Donohoe

That’s not true Paschal. Those aged 18-24 are only getting an increase of €2.70 per week, bringing our total to €102.70 while those aged 26 and over are getting a €5 increase bringing them up to €193 per week. Why this discrimination Mr. Donohoe?

“There are lots of jobs available, I want them [young people] to take them up” –

Minister for Social Protection Leo Varadkar

Surely you also want the over 25s to take them up too Leo? I don’t understand why we’re different? I’m an unemployed young person. I’ve got an undergraduate degree from Trinity College, a Master’s from University College London, and experience in my field.

I’ve been granted one job interview in the last 2 months despite myriad job applications.

Where are these jobs you’re talking about Mr. Varadkar? Because at the moment I really need one of them. At the moment I’m living in Dublin because it’s where all of these alleged jobs are on offer. Dublin… where rents are sky high, Dublin… where you’ve got to take our expensive public transport to get to your one job interview in the last two months, Dublin… where I’m given €102.70 a week and told I should be able to live on it.

Jobseeker’s allowance is there to help us look for jobs, to feed us, to have some semblance of a happy existence. Mr. Varadkar, why do you want to hinder me and not help me?

“Any unemployed young person who takes on a training course or an education course will get the full amount” –

Minister for Finance Michael Noonan

It’s all starting to get a bit mad now Mr. Noonan. I’ve got a degree in maths and psychology and a Master’s of Science and you want me to get more education. I’ve got plenty of education Mr. Noonan, some might say I have too much. I don’t need more education, what I need is the support to find a job.

The question I find myself answering now is, why am I still here? My family is here, my girlfriend is here, my friends are here… for God’s sake, Ireland is my home, Mullingar is my home, Dublin is my home. I want to stay and contribute to society. I don’t want to have to emigrate.

I just need a little more money to help me look for the right job. I promise that if you help me out for the next little while I’ll pay it all back and more when I’ve a job.

Being a young jobseeker in Ireland isn’t sustainable at the moment. It’s getting to the point where it feels like I’ve no other choice but to leave my home behind and seek work abroad.

Does that seem fair to you Mr. Noonan?

Yesterday: A Young Person Reacts To Budget 2017

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