§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many young people under 18 years of age are unemployed in Northern Ireland at the most recent date; what plans he has to reduce this figure; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Adam ButlerOn May 1981, 8,799 young people under 18 years of age were registered as unemployed. This included 6,665 school leavers who had not been previously employed. The total number of unemployed school leavers this year may be expected to follow the usual yearly pattern with substantial increases this month and in the next two months, followed by a gradual decrease thereafter.
The Government are expanding the youth opportunities programme in Northern Ireland in 1981–82 to provide 10,000 places for unemployed 16 and 17-year-olds. This is an increase of 3,000 places on the level of provision in 1980–81, and is additional to other special employment measures and support for industrial development.