ENDA KENNY WILL be in Paris later today to attend a conference on youth unemployment in Europe.

On the invitation of French President Francois Hollande, the Taoiseach will be joined by Social Protection Minister Joan Burton as politicians discuss the current youth employment crisis.

The second Conference on Youth Employment in Europe was organised by Hollande’s administration to “maintain political momentum behind addressing the youth employment challenge”.

Those attending hope to firm up actions to implement the Youth Guarantee agreed by the Irish Presidency earlier this year.

Kenny’s contribution will focus on digital skills and the potential of the digital economy.

In September, 5.584 million people under the age of 25 were unemployed across the European Union, a rate of 23.5 per cent.

At 28 per cent, Ireland’s rate is above average but not as devastatingly high as in Greece (57.3 per cent) or Spain (56.5 per cent).

The lowest rates were seen in Germany (7.7 per cent) and Austria (8.7 per cent).

Meanwhile, the Irish Times reports this morning that there is growing doubt that the government can fulfill the promise made through the ‘youth guarantee’ that there will be a job or training scheme for unemployed under 25 within four months.

Citing a Social Protection document, Carl O’Brien says there are growing concerns about resources.

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