IBEC seeks 3% cut in welfare payments

[wexfordman]

Great so lets have a 90 per cent tax on IBEC members backdated to 2000,

Yep, good idea, and all the other unions as well!!

[Rebelman]

What people do not realise (as it carried so little media coverage) the sector that were hit the hardest in the last budget were the unemployed - job seeker's benefit was cut from 15 months to 12 months (a 20% reduction) - no other group either through pension levies or income levies have been hit this hard, any further hit would be unthinkable. Unfortunately despite our large numbers the unemployed in Ireland do not have as strong a lobby group as other vested interests. I believe the INOU do a good job but they are not in the same league as the IBECs of this world. This is definitely not the time for our government to prey on the most vulnerable in society.

[amen corner]

Cut the dole for single unemployed people to nothing, give them zilch. You won’t need a lobby group. Thousands of hungry desperate people congregating together in our city centres with a few of their less stable colleagues stirring things up should do the trick.

[Essential Piece]

What people do not realise (as it carried so little media coverage) the sector that were hit the hardest in the last budget were the unemployed - job seeker's benefit was cut from 15 months to 12 months (a 20% reduction) - no other group either through pension levies or income levies have been hit this hard, any further hit would be unthinkable. Unfortunately despite our large numbers the unemployed in Ireland do not have as strong a lobby group as other vested interests. I believe the INOU do a good job but they are not in the same league as the IBECs of this world. This is definitely not the time for our government to prey on the most vulnerable in society.

So what does an unemployed person who is unemployed after 13 months get? The dole? Is there a monetary difference? not being smart - would like to know. Also this banner cry of "preying on the most vulerable" must end. Have you seen Ennis hospial where poor elderly must go? Men and women in the same room - walking around in half nothing - there is your most vulnerable! not the crew down at the pub. I think there should be distinctions made bet recently unemployed and long-term lazy.

[atlantic]

I predict a riot
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spYcp0ZB4nM]YouTube - Kaiser Chiefs - I Predict A Riot[/ame]

Cut the dole for single unemployed people to nothing, give them zilch. You won’t need a lobby group. Thousands of hungry desperate people congregating together in our city centres with a few of their less stable colleagues stirring things up should do the trick.

[Rebelman]

So what does an unemployed person who is unemployed after 13 months get? The dole? Is there a monetary difference? not being smart - would like to know. Also this banner cry of "preying on the most vulerable" must end. Have you seen Ennis hospial where poor elderly must go? Men and women in the same room - walking around in half nothing - there is your most vulnerable! not the crew down at the pub. I think there should be distinctions made bet recently unemployed and long-term lazy.

I know whom are most needy, having been involved with SVP for the last ten years I have seen first hand what poverty has existed in this country right through the tiger years. As regards the "crew down the pub" - this does not describe me nor does it describe the vast majority of those unemployed in this country. If I could get a job tomorrow, I would be working tomorrow but so ar i have been unsuccessful in seeking employment.

After 12 months depending on your spouse's income etc. you may receive €0 per week however depending on a detailed means test, etc. you may receive some weekly payment but those that receive the maximum amount which is equal to that of job seekers benefit are extremely few in number due to the high criteria involved.

Regarding "long term lazy", bar a few months last year I have been out of work since October 2007, does that put me in this category ? For a combination of reasons (mainly pride) I have only been receiving unemployment benefit since Nov '98.

There is a sterotype out there that I and others like me are being cast in, but the reality is far different. I am constantly applying for jobs of all types, I'm part of a job seekers club, I'm doing courses to upskill and make myself more employable - yet I and others like me are being described by my learned colleague above and his like as "the long-term lazy" and "down at the pub". The reality for me and others like me is far from what my friend describes.

[petervalhala]

What people do not realise (as it carried so little media coverage) the sector that were hit the hardest in the last budget were the unemployed - job seeker's benefit was cut from 15 months to 12 months (a 20% reduction) - no other group either through pension levies or income levies have been hit this hard, any further hit would be unthinkable. Unfortunately despite our large numbers the unemployed in Ireland do not have as strong a lobby group as other vested interests. I believe the INOU do a good job but they are not in the same league as the IBECs of this world. This is definitely not the time for our government to prey on the most vulnerable in society.

I agree with you in that I believe Job Seeker's Benefit should be raised and extended from 1 year to at least 2 and ideally 3 years; at the same time Job Seeker's Allowance should be cut to around UK levels, say €70 a week.

Its grossly unfair someone like you who has worked and is entitled to to Benefit, receive the same amount as someone who has never worked and probably never intends to.

I would also like to see the PRSI rate cut along with its ceiling abolished, this would make it cheaper for employeers to employ people on low and middle incomes and provide extra cash from high earners to fund the Benefit extension

[EamonnZ]

I know whom are most needy, having been involved with SVP for the last ten years I have seen first hand what poverty has existed in this country right through the tiger years. As regards the "crew down the pub" - this does not describe me nor does it describe the vast majority of those unemployed in this country. If I could get a job tomorrow, I would be working tomorrow but so ar i have been unsuccessful in seeking employment.

After 12 months depending on your spouse's income etc. you may receive €0 per week however depending on a detailed means test, etc. you may receive some weekly payment but those that receive the maximum amount which is equal to that of job seekers benefit are extremely few in number due to the high criteria involved.

Regarding "long term lazy", bar a few months last year I have been out of work since October 2007, does that put me in this category ? For a combination of reasons (mainly pride) I have only been receiving unemployment benefit since Nov '98.

There is a sterotype out there that I and others like me are being cast in, but the reality is far different. I am constantly applying for jobs of all types, I'm part of a job seekers club, I'm doing courses to upskill and make myself more employable - yet I and others like me are being described by my learned colleague above and his like as "the long-term lazy" and "down at the pub". The reality for me and others like me is far from what my friend describes.

Unfortunately in this country, it's basic ignorance that prevails and casts sterotypes.

I'd be interested to know how many high income earners got my contribution tagged onto their childrens allowance? Their silence is deafening. People don't like the truth, it hurts.

We have a tendency to shut our eyes and hope the problem will go away.

I wish you luck for the future, lets hope some employed posters here do not find themselves suddenly being branded as long term lazy, leeches, etc...

Cheers

[Essential Piece]

Its grossly unfair someone like you who has worked and is entitled to to Benefit, receive the same amount as someone who has never worked and probably never intends to.

I agree with this statement

[Wakeupcall]

I agree with this statement

+1

I always worked since I was 12... Cutting chips in the local chipper all the way to where I am now...

There are no excuses for long term "jobseekers" up until the recess*** hit us!

The ones on the dole through the good times for longer than a certain amount of time should get severe penalties on their welfare payments.