Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is still a difficulty for some employers to compete with the welfare system. I asked 12 random employers in the town I represent in my constituency last week if they found it difficult to compete and they said they had difficulty this summer. We had a great season and west Cork was thriving but employers find it very difficult to get people into the workplace. Unfortunately, there are still queues outside what we traditionally call the dole office. When we examine the issue in more detail, obviously it is not the headline welfare rates that are the problem but the black market economy coupled with people who are happy to take their benefits and work two or three days for cash. What is the Minister's view on that?