Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)

I support the words of Senator Michael Mullins on the situation in Syria. The fact that children are being used as human shields in war must make us all really cross. We must stand together, as a House, country and Government, and use every ounce of our influence to have this stopped. It is horrendous. It is below awful. I ask the Tánaiste to act urgently and use every ounce of influence Ireland has. As we have always punched above our weight when it comes to human rights abuses, let us act now.

I am shocked by the ESRI report which states thousands would be better off on the dole than in a job. I hold the ESRI in the highest regard. It is a State funded research institute, but is it propagating a social entitlement world? I am not sure those in it fully understand what it takes to find a job. People who stay at home do not have a hope. Opportunity only knocks when they are outside it. Many young people are in unpaid internships from which they are securing jobs. I have created a number of jobs for young people in unpaid internships. The matter is very serious. If we look at a low paid job in a freeze frame moment, it might pay somebody to stay at home. However, it is not about its low monetary value only. It is about the future potential the opportunity provides, as well as the psychological and social value of a job to a person. In every way it is better to work. The Leader must look for an urgent debate on this issue with the Minister for Social Protection. It is a serious report by a State-funded research institute. I accept that there may be cost anomalies in the form of travel vouchers that might mitigate some costs but nothing militates against the value of a job. I am pleased that the young people that were interviewed agreed with that. However, I am concerned that this was a spin by the journalist or is it what the ESRI believes? It is a serious statement and we deserve a response from the ESRI.