James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)

I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 32 to raise a matter of national importance, namely, the fact that more than 500,000 social welfare claims were processed last year as unemployment rose at an unprecedented rate. A further 155,000 people applied for benefit in the first three months of this year, representing an 80% increase on the same period in 2008. Rapidly escalating live register figures are impacting on such claims, which are part of the supposed cradle to the grave social provision. This is now under attack due to Government cutbacks but is a lifeline for those forced out of employment.

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