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	Unemployment is having a &quot;devastating impact&quot; on the self-esteem of thousands of youngsters, a leading youth group has warned.</p>
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	The number of people under the age of 25 signing on has risen for the third month in a row.</p>
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	New figures released yesterday by the Central Statistics Office show there were 32,237 young people under 25 signing on the live register in July, an increase of 2,512 from April.</p>
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	The figures represent a third monthly increase in a row, while the National Youth Council of Ireland has said more than 11,000 young people in long-term unemployment is &quot;far too high&quot;.</p>
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	Naoise Kavanagh, from youth mental health service Reach Out, said the &quot;biggest myth&quot; was how the gig economy can benefit young people. It can &quot;prove a huge disconnect to the rest of society&quot;, according to Ms Kavanagh. &quot;It&#39;s getting harder and harder to get full-time employment, as some employers are taking advantage of young people,&quot; she said.</p>
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	Ms Kavanagh raised her concern about the figures and told the Irish Independent that &quot;many young people are in precarious employment&quot;.</p>
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	&quot;We really do create an identity by what we do and if you find yourself in unemployment it can really add to a sense of loneliness,&quot; she said.</p>
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	The NCYI is recommending an extra investment of &euro;47.4m in Budget 2018 to reduce the number of young people in long-term unemployment by the end of 2018.</p>
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	James Doorley, deputy director of NCYI, told the Irish Independent a &quot;high-quality work experience scheme that could provide more places&quot; was needed to help arrest the rise.</p>
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	&quot;The nature of employment is changing. There is a lot more precarious employment around this age group and people who are caught between jobs.&quot;</p>
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	Meanwhile, Datapac, a technology solutions and services provider, announced yesterday it will create 35 jobs in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford. Enterprise Minister Frances Fitzgerald said the announcement was a &quot;fantastic endorsement&quot; of Irish talent.</p>
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	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 4<sup><font size="2">th</font></sup> August 2017)</p>
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	<a href="http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/youth-unemployment-causing-devastation-35999244.html">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/youth-unemployment-causing-devastation-35999244.html</a></p>
