Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

Since Deputy Cowen became Taoiseach, some 140 days ago, 45,628 people have lost their jobs in this country. That is, on average, approximately 300 a day. We are told that people are now losing their jobs so fast that the Department of Social and Family Affairs cannot keep up with applications for social welfare payments. More than 30,000 people who have lost their jobs are still waiting for their payments to be processed. What has the Taoiseach done since this House last met to find employment for those 45,000 people? Can he tell the House what new initiatives he and his Government have taken to put back to work those who have lost their jobs since he became Taoiseach? What measures have been taken to protect those who are at further risk of losing their jobs?

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