Social Welfare - Time to slash and burn.

[mr_anderson]

As many people here would know, I am an estate agent.
Due to cutbacks in my office, I have been covering for a recently 'departed' ex-colleague of mine in our lettings department.
She operated in the Clondalkin/Tallaght area, not my usual Dublin southside locale, so for the first time in my career I'm dealing mostly with Social Welfare tenants.

What an eye opener

I would estimate 4 out of 5 are immigrants, with the remainder made up of Irish single-mums (with the boyfriend moving in .... but shhhh, don't tell the authorities).

Its insane !
Not only is it unaffordable, but as someone who has worked and paid taxes all his life, I feel financially raped by them.
It makes my blood boil when I see the amount they get for free.
Free rent, free dole, free childrens allowance and, believe it or not, I have seen an unemployed single mum being consulted on what type of solid wood flooring she wanted in her new apartment.
For crying out loud, not even a married couple, both working, can afford those type of choices.

Yes, I accept most are not living in the lap of luxury, but they are not living in anything close to poverty. Indeed, most have a car.
Back in the 80's my parents had to work tooth and nail to get even close to anything resembling those levels.

Is it too much common sense to

1) Limit social welfare to Irish citizens only, with non-citizens being able to claim up to any tax they have contributed through the years.
and
2) Tell single mothers to stay at home.

Sorry for my rant, but what little social conscience I had prior to this experience is now firmly gone.
The tax-payer is being taken for a chump, its time to slash and burn social welfare !

[Catalpa]

As many people here would know, I am an estate agent.
Due to cutbacks in my office, I have been covering for a recently 'departed' ex-colleague of mine in our lettings department.
She operated in the Clondalkin/Tallaght area, not my usual Dublin southside locale, so for the first time in my career I'm dealing mostly with Social Welfare tenants.

What an eye opener

I would estimate 4 out of 5 are immigrants, with the remainder made up of Irish single-mums (with the boyfriend moving in .... but shhhh, don't tell the authorities).

Its insane !
Not only is it unaffordable, but as someone who has worked and paid taxes all his life, I feel financially raped by them.
It makes my blood boil when I see the amount they get for free.
Free rent, free dole, free childrens allowance and, believe it or not, I have seen an unemployed single mum being consulted on what type of solid wood flooring she wanted in her new apartment.
For crying out loud, not even a married couple, both working, can afford those type of choices.

Yes, I accept most are not living in the lap of luxury, but they are not living in anything close to poverty. Indeed, most have a car.
Back in the 80's my parents had to work tooth and nail to get even close to anything resembling those levels.

Is it too much common sense to

1) Limit social welfare to Irish citizens only, with non-citizens being able to claim up to any tax they have contributed through the years.
and
2) Tell single mothers to stay at home.

Sorry for my rant, but what little social conscience I had prior to this experience is now firmly gone.
The tax-payer is being taken for a chump, its time to slash and burn social welfare !

Welcome to the real World!

[Essential Piece]

1) Limit social welfare to Irish citizens only, with non-citizens being able to claim up to any tax they have contributed through the years.

Do you also feel that Irish people who immigrated to the States, UK whereever back in the 80's should be treated the same way in thier respective countries?


Also - what do you mean that single mothers should stay "at home" judging by your post I would think you would advocate that they "get a job" - but maybe I'm misunderstanding.

[cyberianpan]

There's already a long thread on this:

We need to cut social welfare

cYp

[atlantic]

your a brave person to bring this up ,fairplay.Watchout for the bleedin heart liberals,they will be on you like flies around cowsh1te.Their idea of equality is to keep everybody equally poor.

[mr_anderson]

Do you also feel that Irish people who immigrated to the States, UK whereever back in the 80's should be treated the same way in thier respective countries?

I worked for years in the USA & UK.
When there, I never felt entitled to any social welfare beyond what I had already contributed though my taxes.
I saw myself as a guest in these countries and as such had a responsibility to contribute, not leech.

Also - what do you mean that single mothers should stay "at home" judging by your post I would think you would advocate that they "get a job" - but maybe I'm misunderstanding.

I advocate two choices

1) Stay at home (and I mean the family home) and get nothing but the bare minimum from the state.
2) Work, paying childcare/leaving kid with the grandparents - just like the rest of us !

[stewiegriffin]

your a brave person to bring this up ,fairplay.Watchout for the bleedin heart liberals,they will be on you like flies around cowsh1te.Their idea of equality is to keep everybody equally poor.

Strange , Ive not seen one yet . Why dont you just stick to the point instead of flailing at non existent liberals ? BTW note to all those who are about to whine about 'liberals' .WE HAVE A RIGHT WING GOVERNMENT .WE HAVE HAD A RIGHT WING GOVERNMENT FOR A LONG TIME . DONT BLAME ANYONE BUT FF/FG .

[CitiZenJonredux]

the least well-off in society should not be made suffer for the greed and stupidity of those who got used to living beyond their means in the rare-oul'-times.
Agree with you on the non-national tax thing but what happens when that money runs out, do we just throw them out on the street, deport them?
Ah Ireland of the thousand welcomes, 'tis for thee.

[bluefish]

Whilst I agree Ireland has a decent welfare payment, It does reflect the actual cost of living here.

Dont forget we live in one of the most exspensive states in the EU.

Why do you think so many people shop up in the North?

If we didnt have to hand out this to the immigrants who spend very little in Ireland, we would have 70,000 less on the dole.

that equals to a saving off €1,4280000 per WEEK!

[atlantic]

Stewie aren't they looking after you,don't complain to much.

Strange , Ive not seen one yet . Why dont you just stick to the point instead of flailing at non existent liberals ? BTW note to all those who are about to whine about 'liberals' .WE HAVE A RIGHT WING GOVERNMENT .WE HAVE HAD A RIGHT WING GOVERNMENT FOR A LONG TIME . DONT BLAME ANYONE BUT FF/FG .