Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)

The Government was driving on to build 90,000 units a year, even though there were 215,000 unoccupied houses in the country, yet we are told it did not see it coming.

What must be done now? Throughout the country people working for companies are being laid off or put on a three-day week. The Government should create an initiative in employment maintenance whereby people working three days a week would stay in employment for five days a week with the Government paying for two days rather than unemployment benefit. This would improve the productivity of the companies concerned. I am being positive and trying to help.

We must consider people who are out of employment for longer than six months. As an incentive to employers, the Government should pay €100 a week of their wages if they find employment. That would save the Government the cost of paying them unemployment benefit of €220 or €230 per week. It would be both positive and a pro-business action.

I have heard people show resentment — almost turning to racism — to non-nationals claiming benefits. In Poland benefits are halved after six months and stopped completely after 12 months. We must consider such a measure.

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