July 2010

Invitation to submit proposals
The National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) is the representative body for voluntary youth organisations in Ireland. NYCI functions to represent the interests of young people and youth organisations. NYCI's role is recognised in legislation (Youth Work Act) and as a social partner. The NYCI aims through its member organisations and its representative role to empower young people to participate in society as fulfilled confident individuals. The work of the Youth Council is based on principles of equality, social justice and equal participation for all. In achieving these aims the NYCI seeks the emergence of a society in which young people are valued citizens who can make a meaningful contribution to their community.
The National Youth Council of Ireland invites tenders from qualified individuals and organisations to undertake a qualitative research study on youth unemployment.
Research Rationale
The issue of youth unemployment is a policy priority for NYCI. To inform our policy and advocacy work on the issue, the Youth Council seeks to consult with young unemployed people on a number of key issues affecting their lives and related to their status as ‘unemployed.’
Phase 3 of our programme of work requires consultation with the target group
– young people currently unemployed. To engage effectively with young unemployed people and to ascertain their experiences, views and perspectives on state interventions in this regard, the use of qualitative research methodology is required.
It is envisaged the research will consult with young unemployed people in the
18
– 25 age cohort research to ascertain their experiences of and views on a number of current state interventions for unemployed people including education and training options and income supports.
Research Aim
There are a number of key objectives to this study. The research is intended to provide a greater insight into how policy is implemented throughout the country and to assess to what extent public policy is adequately meeting the needs of the people it purports to provide support.
A fundamental aim of the study is to capture the experience of a number of young people currently unemployed and to illustrate the problems they have encountered in their engagement with the social welfare system, and in seeking to secure employment. Other issues which would be useful to explore in the study are any possible discrepancies between policy and practice prevalent in the current social welfare or personal accounts of inherent employment traps experienced by research participants.

We are particularly interested in the level of interaction and support currently offered to young unemployed people. We are also interested in their assessment of the service they have received from state bodies such as social welfare personnel and Fas staff.
It is anticipated that the findings of the research should provide us with invaluable information to help inform our work and to uncover the experience of a young unemployed person living in Ireland at the present time.
Ultimately our hope is that we will uncover personal stories that will help illustrate both effective and ineffective practice in the system. The latter will be useful in informing how we address any flaws in the system and ensure a service is provided which assists the unemployed to enhance their employability and re enter the labour market.
Research Methodology
The proposed research will employ qualitative research methodology to explore the world of an unemployed person and get a greater insight into their life.
The use of this method, it is hoped, will assist us to understand how the social welfare system is currently operating and to highlight the experience of the unemployed person – uncovering what it means to be unemployed in Ireland.
It will help shed light on an issue of a sensitive nature such as unemployment and help us uncover through the use of open-ended questions the practice on the ground as it is experienced by the individual.
For the purposes of this study, the use of a series of focus groups and indepth interviews should be conducted with young unemployed people aged between 18 – 25 years of age living throughout the country in both rural and urban localities. Given the diverse profile of young unemployed people it is envisaged the following groups of young unemployed people are included in the study:

Young unemployed early school leavers,

Young unemployed people with Leaving Certificate and/or apprenticeship/vocational training qualifications,

Young unemployed graduates.
All focus groups and interviews should be recorded and transcribed verbatim.
It is expected that the transcripts and a written report outlining the key findings from the research and recommendations will be provided on completion of the research.
The study should address the following research questions:

What is your experience of unemployment?


What level of engagement have you had with state agencies since you became unemployed?

Has your engagement with state bodies been useful?

What steps have you taken to seek employment?

How do you feel about the future?

Have you considered leaving the country?
Applicants are invited to outline the particular methods and sampling techniques they intend to employ within the framework of the research approach outlined above, and to demonstrate their knowledge of appropriate research methods for engaging with young unemployed people aged between
18 - 25 years of age.
Time-frame
It is envisaged that the research will be completed by the 31 st October 2010.
Applicants should provide a detailed timetable for completion of the research.
Profile of Researchers and Relevant Experience
Applications should include a profile of all personnel to be involved in undertaking the research. This should include a detailed CV of the consultant, details of relevant research experience and two references.
Ethical, Consent & Confidentiality Procedures
Applicants should outline how they propose to comply with research ethics, and standards.
Roles & Responsibilities
The successful applicant will be responsible for accessing research participants, undertaking the research and producing the final report, developed to publishable standards.
Focus group discussions will be recorded and transcribed verbatim. NYCI will have access to the full transcripts.
Ownership of the information and final report
Ownership of data and reports related to the project will reside with the
National Youth Council of Ireland.
Proposed Budget
€25 000 to include all costs such as institutional fees, administration costs and expenses incurred and VAT.
Applicants should provide a detailed breakdown of costs.
Payment
A payment schedule will be agreed with the successful applicant. The following schedule is proposed:

One third to be paid on signing the contract

One third to be paid on receipt of intermediate report

One third to be paid on receipt of final research report

Payments will be made within 28 days of receipt of an invoice. If at any stage during the research, the agreed level of quality of the research is not adhered to, payment may be withheld.
Queries
Any queries concerning this document should be e-mailed to: research@nyci.ie
Three hard copies should be sent by post or hand delivered to:
Marie-Claire McAleer
Senior Research & Policy Officer
National Youth Council of Ireland
3 Montague St.
Dublin 2
The deadline for receipt of completed proposals is Friday 6 th August 2010 at
5.00pm
. Envelopes should be marked ‘Youth Unemployment Research
Proposal’. The name and address of the person tendering should be shown on the envelope.