Joe O'Toole (Independent)

I refer to the cost of unemployment, raised by Senator Twomey. We hear the narrow perspective of people talking about the cost of the dole and redundancy, without any attempt to meet it with a positive, reflective and creative response. The costs of unemployment versus employment must be examined. In certain places, such as Germany, a company with long-term viability but with current difficulties that is forced to lay off workers gets support from the State on the basis of a grant per worker retained. That is cheaper than the cost of the dole or redundancy. It keeps people in employment and is a stimulus for the economy. It is something I have not heard discussed by the Government.