Robert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I formally congratulate my friend, colleague and former neighbour, Deputy Kevin Humphreys, on his appointment as Minister of State at the Department of Social Protection. It is apt that he has this role because he has experience of unemployment. His life experience makes him particularly well suited to the role he is playing. I am glad he has responsibility for job activation because we need to move away from the old handout mentality that was characteristic of the social welfare system. It should be a case of a hand up rather than a handout so we can help people move towards employment rather than just languish in unemployment, which has such a detrimental effect on both individuals and communities. The more we do that, the better.

With regard to job activation measures, assuming that the unemployment rate will continue to decrease, we will need to examine very carefully whether measures that continue to be in place will continue to be fit for purpose. In the past, many schemes were left in place long after their sell-by date. We need to ensure programmes such as JobBridge remain appropriate and are not being abused by employers.

While there is clear evidence of a majority moving from JobBridge into full employment, there are also complaints about those on JobBridge being abused and the scheme being used merely to fill a job that should properly be filled by a paid person. That culture needs to permeate the Department.

If I can also address the move towards the housing assistance payment scheme, which is a good scheme, the fundamental issue in terms of housing is to construct more housing, whether social or private, particularly in the cities. The housing assistance payment scheme is a good one in the sense that it helps to remove a poverty trap but it will need to be watched carefully because I suspect that there will be considerable resistance to it from tenants.

There are many aspects of the budget for social welfare where for the first time in seven years we have seen increases, and some of those are very welcome. Obviously, even though it is a small increase, it is welcome that there is a €5 increase in child benefit. I particularly welcome the extra €2 million for the school meals programme. From what I am told by school principals, it would be beneficial if that could be pushed out as much as possible because there is no doubt that school children who are hungry do less well than those who are sufficiently fed. It is a fairly obvious point but it contributes in the long run towards preparing people for being able to work. The more the scheme is improved over the years, the better.

It is worth noting that in spite of the trauma that this country has gone through, for most we managed to maintain the basic unemployment rate at €188 per week. That is in considerable contrast to our neighbours across the water where one is talking about a rate is less than £65 a week. It is worth noting that we managed to do that.

In conclusion, I also support the remarks Deputy Eoghan Murphy made on the Economic Management Council. It is time to go back to regular Cabinet Government.

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