Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

We have witnessed substantial increases in unemployment in recent months. Last month alone, 18,000 people lost their jobs. It now appears we are facing the prospect of approximately 300,000 people unemployed by the end of the year. People who find themselves unemployed have to wait eight to ten weeks for unemployment benefit. In many instances those people have worked all their lives and paid their taxes and PRSI on time. It is disgraceful that they are treated in such a manner, especially coming up to Christmas. They paid their PRSI from the first week they were employed but they are expected to wait eight to ten weeks to have their benefits paid. It is all very well to say they should go to the community welfare officer while they are waiting, but that is not acceptable. These people have dignity and should be treated with respect. I will raise the matter with the Minister when she comes to the House to discuss the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill. It is not acceptable in this day and age to treat people in that manner.

Senator Fitzgerald tabled an amendment to the Order of Business and if it has not been seconded, I will do so. I would treat Senator Walsh's remarks about the Opposition with the contempt it deserves.