Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

As Deputy Ring knows, it is illegal to work while drawing social welfare benefits. Clearly I would not condone the practice.

The replacement rates compared to the national minimum wage are 64% for a single person, 70% for a couple with one earner, 73% for a couple with one earner and one child and 76% for a couple with one earner and two children. When compared to the average industrial wage, the replacement rate falls to 53% for a single person, 65% for a couple with one earner, 69% for a couple with one earner and one child and 72% for a couple with one earner and two children.

I have heard a number of stories about individuals refusing offers of employment but I think several factors warrant serious examination. If an individual earns an income he or she does not declare, the replacement rates are totally different, even presuming full employment and adherence to the law. This is why I am keen to progress the national employment action programme at a much higher level than heretofore. We have also enacted legislation which provides for sanctions to be imposed where an individual does not engage with that process. Replacement rates are also affected by the rent supplement.

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