Ahead of the upcoming Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs (EPSCO) Informal on February 7th and 8th in Dublin, Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton TD, writes that youth unemployment increases the likelihood of being unemployed later in life, with possible consequences on pay, health and status. This week in Dublin Castle, as part of Ireland's presidency of the Council of the EU, social protection and employment ministers from the member states will gather to discuss the Youth Guarantee and other issues.