Young Irish people have lost confidence in their own country to meet their aspirations as the cost-of-living crisis worsens.
And concerning, 70% of people aged 18-24 are now considering moving abroad because they think they would enjoy a better quality of life elsewhere, new research has found.
The research, carried out by RED C on behalf of the National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI), shows 80% of young people are fearful for the future with one in two reporting worse mental health in the context of the rising cost of living.
READ MORE: Budget survey shows "worrying" number of people struggling with day-to-day living costs
More than 4 in 10 responded that they are not as happy as they were six months ago while almost 1 in 2 said they are struggling to make ends meet and more than 1 in 4 said their experience with housing in the past six months is worse.
Clara Jane Hickey, 21, from Waterford, is just one of those young people who have already moved abroad.
Clara moved from Ireland to the Netherlands last month to study at the University of Groningen due to the cost of living here.
“I left Ireland in August due to the costs of living there. In the Netherlands, I pay lower third-level tuition fees per year compared with Ireland, where I, or my parents, would need to be able to afford a mandatory contribution of €3,000 per year,” Clara told NYCI.
“Finding accommodation has been so much more realistic for me in the Netherlands. I also find the public transport system much better than in Ireland.”
While Aisling Maloney, 19, from Roscrea, Tipperary, who is returning to UCD this autumn, is worried about the cost of college life.
Aisling, who received a scholarship to study politics and law, said: “Since I’m from a low socio-economic background, I tend to struggle with the rising cost-of-living.
“I’m lucky in that I’ve secured accommodation for next year on campus, but I’m worried about the cost of food, textbooks and also about missing out on life opportunities that other young people have and might take for granted.”
A 24-year-old from Connacht told NYCI she plans to leave Ireland in the next six months due to the cost-of-living crisis.
“The cost-of-living crisis has impacted me in terms of disposable income and saving. I no longer feel I can do this. I am planning to leave Ireland in the next 6 months due to this. The majority of my friends have plans to leave Ireland before the end of 2022,” while a pregnant 22-year-old said:” I think it’s ridiculous. I’m 22, pregnant and live in an overcrowded house and can’t afford to move out because the Government won’t help with housing.”
NYCI, the representative body for voluntary youth organisations in Ireland, has expressed concern at the findings of the survey which show the severe impact the cost-of-living crisis is having on young people in Ireland and is calling for action from the Government to prevent young people from moving abroad.
Commenting on the findings of the research, Paul Gordon, Director of Policy and Advocacy, National Youth Council of Ireland, said: “There is a real fear from young people about what the future holds for them.
“Many say they’re struggling to make ends meet and quality-of-life considerations are driving them to consider a future outside of Ireland. Government must act to ensure young people aren’t overlooked in this crisis.”
Mr Gordon said: “The cost-of-living is affecting all of society, but it is impacting young people in a different way.
“They are more likely to report mental health difficulties and challenges with accommodation, and to spend a greater portion of their income on education and public transport expenses.
“Unfortunately, an overwhelming majority feel a better quality-of-life can be achieved elsewhere.
“We’re concerned that unless young voices are heard in this Budget, many will choose to leave.”
As part of its pre-Budget submission, NYCI is calling on targeted action from the Government to include a reduction in registration fees for those in college, higher education, or on apprenticeships.
They are also calling on the Government to raise the national minimum wage for under 20s to the same level as over 20s; bring the rate of Jobseekers' Allowance for under-25s in line with that of those over 25; extend the Young Adult travel card to more young people; and increase government investment in youth work services in local communities.
Mr Gordon said that, when asked as part of the survey about NYCI’s Budget proposals, the wider population was very supportive of policies intended to help young people.
“We want the Government to heed the message that young people and the wider public are sending in this research, and to address the struggles NYCI frequently hears about from young people. Our leaders need to show young people in Ireland that they are a valued part of society, and that they are not left out of the conversation on the cost-of-living.”
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