John Halligan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

According to figures from the Department of Social Protection which I received during the week, men make up 74% of those who take up the Tús scheme and 65% of the total Tús cohort falls within the 25 to 49 age bracket. That age and gender profile would suggest that in a significant number of cases a Tús worker is also the main breadwinner in a family. That is the argument that is being made by many people on the Tús scheme to whom I have spoken in Waterford. The scheme is not the issue. Although I have difficulty with it but that is neither here nor there relative to the question I ask. The individual concerned has a family and is the main breadwinner. Surely someone on a social welfare payment who works 19.5 hours and is offered an additional €20 on top of his social welfare payment should not have to pay tax or PRSI. That is common sense. Otherwise, one is asking someone to work 19.5 hours for €20 for which one would take home 22 cent an hour.

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