Cork TD calls for strategic focus on long-term jobseekers

A Cork-based TD has said that a major focus is needed to shift long-term receivers of the jobseekers allowance back into the workforce, as more than 3,300 Leesiders are currently unemployed.

Fine Gael Cork North West TD, John Paul O’Shea, who is the chairperson of the Dáil’s Social Protection Committee, expressed his concern following receipt of a county-by-county breakdown, which details the number of people who have been receiving the jobseekers allowance nationwide for 12 months or longer.

The data, received in response to a parliamentary question raised by Mr O’Shea, shows that there are nearly 48,000 people unemployed on a national scale, not including casual jobseekers who work up to three days a week.

Of the 47,764 people nationwide who have been unemployed for 12 months or longer, 3,365 are located across Cork city and county, representing approximately 7%.

Mr O’Shea has now called on the Minister for Social Protection, Dara Calleary TD, to publish a comprehensive employment strategy to tackle the issue of long-term unemployment.

“At a time when small businesses across the country are crying out for staff, it’s hard to fathom why anybody would be in receipt of an unemployment payment for over a year,” said Mr O’Shea.

“We have record employment levels in Ireland. There is a job out there for everybody that wants one.

“We need to seriously ask the question, why are some people still not entering the workforce?

“There are a plethora of supports in place to help people with further education, training and reskilling - we also have programmes like Community Employment and the Work Placement Experience Programme which help people get hands-on work experience,” he added.

“We need to examine the reasons behind these figures.” 

Mr O’Shea further raised the question of whether there are “welfare traps” which are acting as a disincentive to people taking up employment.

“Do we need to examine the penalty rates for those who refuse to engage with back-to-work supports?” he asked.

“There are small businesses in towns and villages across the country who cannot get staff, particularly in the hospitality sector, as we approach the busy summer season.

“We should not be complacent - if anything, now is the time to redouble our efforts so we can help address labour shortages in the economy by supporting those most distant from the labour market into the workforce.”