Job prospects for young people are projected to remain bleak for several years. According to the latest United Nations International Labour Organisation (ILO) report (Global Trends for Youth) the number of unemployed young people worldwide has risen by four million since 2007.

The German federal government attempted to prevent protests developing there just before the international day of action against “ACTA” on 11 February. They publicly announced that they will not sign the ACTA agreement, but will re-examine it.

The UCC Government and Politics Society have invited British National Party (BNP) leader Nick Griffin to speak at a debate on campus in February. This announcement comes only shortly after Griffin’s invitation to Trinity College was cancelled in the face of opposition mounted by anti-fascist campaigners, including members of Trinity Socialist Society.

Every student who is sick and tired of the grant cuts, can’t afford ever increasing college fees, and is disgusted by the lies and broken promises of the new government should join the national student march on November 16th in Dublin.

Looking for work? Good news- courtesy of the government's 'Jobbridge' scheme, there's all kinds of full-time opportunities on offer. The Corner Bakery in Terenure is looking for a Bakery Assistant. The Landsdowne Hotel in Ballsbridge is looking for waiting staff. Axa Assistance is looking for a call centre worker in Athlone. You'll even get an extra €50 euro a week.

In recent weeks and under much fanfare the government has launched a new scheme to create 5,000 internships by pairing applicants with a large number of participating companies, including KPMG, Tesco, Aer Lingus, Glanbia, Quinn Group Ltd, HP, ESB, Pricewaterhouse Coopers and Bord na Móna.

The youth protesters in Spain have inspired many with the stand they have taken against austerity policies and the political establishment. However, they have also faced brutal state repression.

The last few months have seen one thing sweeping across the island’s politics – austerity. The governments north and south are shifting the consequences of the greedy bankers to ordinary working class people, with young people being particularly hard hit. Youth unemployment is at an all-time high and very expensive university degrees are becoming worthless.

Because...

In advance of the election the Socialist talked to Cian Prendiville, the youngest candidate in the country and a member of the Socialist Party. After the election, we caught up with him again.