Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)

The Minister should be gone beyond the point of looking at it. This is a critical aspect of the welfare system that works against people taking up employment. It is clear that the 30-hour rule is the problem, as well as the withdrawal rate. Will the Minister give an undertaking that he will tackle this problem in the upcoming budget? It is key to removing the poverty trap and unemployment trap that exists.

There are simple solutions. If the 30-hour rule is removed, it means that for every family on rent supplement where a family member takes up a job, the State saves €19,000. This is a win-win situation. If the Minister applies himself to considering those key areas of reform, everybody stands to win out of this. Will he give us an assurance he will tackle it in next month's budget?

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