Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)

What contingency plans does the Minister have in the event of an increase of 100,000 in the live register next year? I have been speaking to industry sources and small businesses - people who are hoping to get to Christmas. I have been involved in several cases recently in which businesses have been trying to prevent the sheriff from entering their premises and persuade the Revenue Commissioners to deal with them. There is a strong and forceful attitude within the Revenue Commissioners at present. Last Sunday's TV documentary "The Sheriff and Me" was not a true reflection of what is going on because the sheriff was portrayed as a very nice man. He probably is a very nice man, but the programme did not show what is happening out there. The Minister has made provision for an unemployment level of 500,000 this time next year. What contingency plans does she have?

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