Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

People who have found themselves out of work as a result of the economic crisis are extremely anxious to get back into employment.

The Deputy spoke of companies seeking people with PhD qualifications. One of the sad things I have encountered as Minister is people with extraordinary qualifications and a strong desire to work finding themselves locked out of employment. They do not want to stay on welfare, even though by European standards, specifically the standards of our nearest neighbour, the social welfare system is very strong and well financed. People want to become financially independent and enter employment.

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