GOOD NEWS is particularly welcome at this time. And when it involves young people and the country’s future prospects, it is so much sweeter. A well-educated workforce and a low corporation tax were the chief attractions for those multi-national corporations that helped to create our economic boom. The reasons for the subsequent bust have been well ventilated.
But the good news, according to a study
Young People's Health in Great Britain and Ireland, is that more young people than ever before are now entering third level education in anticipation of better times. It is the kind of information that drives the long-term planning processes of international companies.
A skilled and motivated workforce is enormously attractive to foreign investors. Time and Government policy can be expected to correct current, uncompetitive wage levels. The madness of the property boom is gradually dissipating. Such developments will not guarantee success but they offer an opportunity to use the crisis to launch the next phase of economic development.
Young people are our greatest resource. It is no coincidence that, 40 years ago, only one in seven teenagers had an opportunity to attend university. Many faced emigration or low paid employment. Today, two out of three youngsters are entering third level colleges. That is a significant advance. It will enrich the lives of those directly concerned, while contributing to a vibrant community and adding value to the economy. Because of that, the Government must ensure that student grants are paid on time. Developing a smart economy makes sense. But those expected to drive the new system deserve encouragement and financial support.
The other good news is that our children are healthier and happier than those in England, Scotland or Wales. They are likely to take more exercise, to live with both parents and to be more satisfied with their lives. For a State that has tended to look across the Irish Sea for examples of progressive social policy, the findings of this university-led study are somewhat reassuring.
As might be expected in such culturally-related societies, issues involving alcohol, drugs, eating disorders and obesity raised warning signals across the board. But, here too, Irish children appeared to operate at a lower level of risk and to be more satisfied with the quality of their lives. While there is no room for complacency, we appear to be getting some things right. Building on those successes will undoubtedly represent our most important challenge.