Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We all share the goal Deputy Joan Collins outlined of creating high quality jobs in this country. We certainly want to see that. In relation to the statistics that were published today, I wish to make the point that the full impact of the recovery that is ongoing is not reflected in the 2015 figures because we have had improvements since the figures that are in the report today were examined. As the Deputy is aware, we were in a position to introduce a range of welfare increases from 2016 onwards and, as a result, fewer people are dependent on transfers. For example, the number of people in receipt of working age income and employment supports continues to fall, to just under 405,000 people in December 2016. I accept that is still a large number. However, it is 10% less than the number claiming those allowances in the previous year, thus showing the rise in income. The jobs that are being created are taking people out of poverty and poverty traps but work remains to be done.

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