Alliance MLA Chris Lyttle said: “The Department of Employment & Learning Employment Service is under severe pressure to adequately respond to a significant increase in youth unemployment as a result of the global economic downturn.
“The Deputy Prime Minister has recently announced a Youth Contract to promote youth employment in Great Britain, supported by a £940 million fund over three years and Scotland and Wales have also resourced targeted interventions to address this issue.
“As a result of this Youth Contract, Northern Ireland has received increased funding. I understand Stephen Farry has tabled a paper to the Executive and will be liaising with the Finance Minister about the provision of extra resources to help with targeted intervention to address rising youth unemployment in Northern Ireland.
“I welcome this decisive action from the Minister for Employment and sincerely hope other Ministers agree that getting young people into work must be an immediate priority for the Executive.”
ENDS