Ireland's rates of unemployment assistance not generous compared to other countries.

[Mar Tweedy]

Came across this article about the best places in the world to lose your job concerning rates of unemployment benefit in different countries: Foreign Policy: The List: The Best Places to Lose Your Job

It puts into context the Government's kite flying about cutting rates of social welfare. We are still a wealthy country and are coming behind in terms of across-the-board social benefits and expenditure and as can be seen from this article, these other wealthy countries have far superior benefits.

Funny that when comparing our rates of jobseekers allowance, the UK figure is often used. Our current crises was exacerbated by us slavishly following the policies of the UK and US instead of our more social cohesion minded european friends. Are we going to start slavishly following the UK and US approach to social welfare now?

We are nowhere near as generous in our social cohesion and benefit provision as the Government are currently spinning. Take a look at what these other countries are providing and see what you think.

[TradCat]

Cutting the dole should be the last thing the government does. If we are in for a period of high unemployment then social cohesion must be the main political priority. As a worker in reasonably secure private sector employment I would rather pay more tax than see the dole cut.

[Wakeupcall]

Very good article! Thanks

[sandar]

I dont think Dole should be cut.
However whati find amazing in Ireland is you can just sign on weekly wothout worthout ever having to explain what efforts you undertook that week or any other week to get a job, its not like that under either the scandinavian model opr the british model.

[seabhcan]

Its a different philosophy. In Ireland all unemployed people get the same. In France, etc, you get a fraction of your previous wage.

That means that many unemployed people would be getting less than the Irish dole. It also means that the likes of former Anglo-Irish directors would be getting several hundred grand a year from the tax payer. In France, Gerard Depardieu is infamous for milking the system between films (when he is unemployed) and getting millions in dole.

I don't think that would be popular in Ireland.

[seabhcan]

I dont think Dole should be cut.
However whati find amazing in Ireland is you can just sign on weekly wothout worthout ever having to explain what efforts you undertook that week or any other week to get a job, its not like that under either the scandinavian model opr the british model.

I've heard they do ask to see PFO letters and the like.

[sandar]

Its a different philosophy. In Ireland all unemployed people get the same. In France, etc, you get a fraction of your previous wage.

That means that many unemployed people would be getting less than the Irish dole. It also means that the likes of former Anglo-Irish directors would be getting several hundred grand a year from the tax payer. In France, Gerard Depardieu is infamous for milking the system between films (when he is unemployed) and getting millions in dole.

I don't think that would be popular in Ireland.

thats situation in france is outrageous.........

[Clanrickard]

I dont think Dole should be cut.
However whati find amazing in Ireland is you can just sign on weekly wothout worthout ever having to explain what efforts you undertook that week or any other week to get a job, its not like that under either the scandinavian model opr the british model.

I am often required to write letters for dolers who are going to meet an inspector. They have to show they applied for jobs. It is a bit of a joke though as they ask in the same few places every week. No one ever checks from the welfare if the letter is genuine, never asks if they submitted a CV. A number of years ago an investigation by inspectors from the Dept. of Social Welfare found a substantial amount of fraud in our area. People working and drawing the dole, people claiming deserted wives when the partner lived with them etc. It transpired amongst those implicated were members of the local Cuman. The report was ignored.

[seabhcan]

I am often required to write letters for dolers who are going to meet an inspector. They have to show they applied for jobs. It is a bit of a joke though as they ask in the same few places every week. No one ever checks from the welfare if the letter is genuine, never asks if they submitted a CV. A number of years ago an investigation by inspectors from the Dept. of Social Welfare found a substantial amount of fraud in our area. People working and drawing the dole, people claiming deserted wives when the partner lived with them etc. It transpired amongst those implicated were members of the local Cuman. The report was ignored.

Shameful, but there are similar scams in every country. In France they have a serious problem with people trying to get fired - so they can get their 80% of wage dole.

In the UK, about 5% of the population are officially disabled. This keeps the official unemployment rate low. You can become 'disabled' if you've been unemployed for a few years and the fact depresses you. Real unemployment in the UK has always been about 10%.

[Pauli]

Despite the fact that >I live in one of the countries listed, I still dont want to lose my job. Dole is generous but you are actively encouraged, in a somewhat heavy-handed way, to get back into employment asap. No harm in that.

Scammers get prosecuted.