More than 28 unemployed people were chasing every job vacancy in the second half of 2013, according to the trade union-backed Nevin Economic Research Institute (NERI). The stark data - which contrasts with Germany, where there are just 2.4 unemployed people for each job vacancy - proves that Ireland’s high unemployment rate is due to a lack of jobs rather than people being unwilling to work.

NERI highlighted the figures as social protection minister Joan Burton announced plans for the implementation of the ‘youth guarantee,’ which aims to ensure that all jobless people aged 18-25 are offered good quality employment, continued education, an apprenticeship, a traineeship, or work experience within four months of becoming unemployed. In a statement issued last week, the minister said the Government would spend over €500 million to implement the guarantee in 2014.

The youth guarantee is an EU initiative agreed by member states during last year’s Irish presidency of the EU. Minister Burton said the system would be introduced in Ireland on a phased basis due to financial constraints. But she said Ireland already had some of the key elements of the guarantee in place through initiatives like JobBridge and Intreo.

The overall Irish unemployment rate has fallen from a peak of over 15% in February 2012 to 12.4% at the end of 2013. Youth unemployment is much higher at 25%, down from 33%.

Noreen Moloney.