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Parliamentary question - E-012615/2015Parliamentary question
E-012615/2015

Welcome home fund: EU funding to help homecomers

Question for written answer E-012615-15
to the Commission
Rule 130
István Ujhelyi (S&D)

One of the EU's biggest social problems is youth unemployment: 5.4 million young people are currently out of work. In 2013 the unemployment rate for 15-24 year-olds in the EU was 23.4%, and in Hungary it was 27.2%. High youth unemployment reduces the EU's social cohesion and economic competitiveness. The constantly-increasing emigration from Hungary represents an extremely high risk, and nearly half a million (mainly young) Hungarians have now left the country to make their livelihood elsewhere. Hungary has a combination of an overall unemployment rate which is not significantly above the EU average and an exceptionally high rate of youth unemployment. Young people who are active in the job market have problems finding work, in spite of the fact that very few of their peers are economically active.

There are numerous programmes in the EU to help with internal movement and the movement of workers. How can a substantial fund — boosted by EU money — be set up which will enable us to help people wanting to return home and make their livelihood in the country of their birth?

How can a budget be set up which will provide funds which can be applied for directly not by governments but by those who are affected: the companies and local authorities which will welcome these people home?