Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I read an article this morning in which the Minister spoke eloquently about a living wage and how difficult it is for people to exist on the minimum wage or welfare benefits. However, the Minister has significantly reduced a basic social welfare benefit for young people. The National Youth Council of Ireland has stated that there are now only two doors open to young people, namely, a social welfare payment of €100 or emigration. Every year since this Government has been in office the number of people required to fill the Aviva stadium have left this country. The phrase "a living wage" is only pious words, which the Minister will probably repeat on Saturday afternoon. Unfortunately, I cannot be there and will not hear them. In reality, this reduction in benefits is a severe cut.

As I understand it, we are in terms of the youth guarantee introducing the Dutch model, under which training or a job is provided. However, as stated by Deputy O'Dea it is not possible for the Minister to deliver the Dutch model in this country in a situation where the Labour Party is not really in power. That is the problem.

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