Ray Butler (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I endorse what Ms Fahey and Ms Deane said about people being afraid to work a few extra hours because of the fear of losing supplements. I welcome that the Minister is examining the position of people who have been short-term or long-term recipients of social welfare to provide that if they get a job, their full entitlements to rent supplement and other benefits will not be removed from them and that they will be given a package to assist them to return to work. When we are out meeting people, we hear on the doorsteps that a husband or a wife might have been offered a job but by taking it up they could stand to lose €40 or €50 when they subtract all the allowances they would lose and factor in the cost of petrol money and travel expenses. I welcome that the Minister is examining this issue. Everything in terms of benefits should not be taken from these people. They should assisted in the same way as recipients of the back to work scheme whereby they would be given an amount in year one, another amount in year two and a further amount in year three until they are up and running and into the system. I would welcome the establishment of that type of system, as I am sure would the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.