Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

One of the things that was very evident during the Celtic tiger era was that there was virtually full employment. There is no real evidence, therefore, that people are lazy or that they will not take up employment. What has always been evident is the fact that a certain percentage of those on the live register were people who were in transition between jobs. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, people who were unemployed were almost accused of being spongers. The latter word resonated for a long time afterwards. We are at risk of placing an entire group of people into a particular category. It is as if they are almost being blamed for the fact that they are unemployed. I completely accept the point that the best thing for those who are unemployed is training and education. However, many of the individuals were are discussing have primary and master's degrees and some even have PhDs. I met a person last week who wanted to obtain access to the MOMENTUM programme. He is eight weeks short of being a full year out of work, which is the requirement to qualify for the programme. A place is available on the particular scheme in which he is interested. This is because there were not enough people to fill the places on offer when the scheme was originally established and, as a result, it had to be postponed. It must be recognised that people's circumstances sometimes do not match up to the requirements for the type of course that would lead to their receiving the necessary training to enable them to obtain employment when the course comes to an end.

I recently spoke to some people involved in the hospitality sector and I was alarmed to discover that individuals are offering to work within that sector for well under the minimum wage. If this happens and if it becomes a feature, people's prospects for earning a living wage will be driven right down. There is a need to examine the sector to which I refer to discover whether what I have outlined is happening on a small scale or whether it is wholesale in nature. It would be a matter of some concern if the latter were the case.

The primary point I wish to make relates to whether the proposed measure is even legal, particularly as it discriminates on age grounds. It is important that this aspect be dealt with. I have a fundamental objection to targeting a group of people, may of whom are very well trained and educated, and almost blaming them for the fact that they are unemployed. All they need is work.

See this speech in context