Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

That is true, but we are now in a situation in which we have returned to net migration. Young people whose first language is not English and whose qualifications may be limited are coming into Ireland all the time and within a few weeks they find employment and are earning €300 or €400 a week. We need to bear all those points in mind. I accept that people may have individual reasons for not being able to take up employment but we should not be so naive as to think that everyone wants to take up employment. There is a small group - it may only be 1% or 2% of society - who would rather not work. Frankly, we need to be wise to that, deal with that and be honest about it.

One point that was mentioned by a few members is whether those who take up schemes in education should be treated differently and should get some benefit or extra payment for doing that. To a certain extent, they do, but maybe not enough. If I was to make a change, it would be in that space. It would not mean giving more to those who do not take up employment but would acknowledge that those who take up schemes, education or training should be recognised.