Ms Lucianne Bird:

Much research has been done at European level that would indicate this. Scandinavian systems are far more progressive. Equally, we must recognise that Ireland has a small population with limited resources and lots of need. We recognise that. When we see people are not taking the option of employment, or not even taking the option of education initially because of the fear of losing social protection measures or that disincentive in terms of secondary benefit, that really indicates a system that has to be reviewed and reformed.