Unemployment crisis must not be used to
by Tadhg Carey Updated: Wednesday, 8th July, 2009 1:00pm
Unemployment is rapidly becoming a major social ill.
Every week comes fresh shop closures, job losses and cuts across the small and medium enterprises that are the backbone of our local economies.
In Athlone alone, the number of stores that have closed their doors over the last year is phenomenal - and unfortunately, there is little sign of the trend abating
Unemployment levels have rocketed, with close to 4,000 people now signing on at the Athlone social welfare office.
In the midst of this crisis, which to most citizens has a deeper and more tangible impact that the banking crisis, what does our Government intend to do about it?
Tackle it? Produce a blueprint to save jobs and stimulate economic activity? No, instead, the Government intends to cut levels of social welfare payment and launch a campaign to tar the reputation of those on the dole.
It appears as if the Government is more focused on tackling social welfare fraud than creating and maintaining jobs in our economy.
Every few weeks, there is a fresh news story highlighting the level of social welfare fraud, based on departmental sources.
The Minister for Social and Family Affairs Mary Hanafin has announced at least three crackdowns in the last year.
And whilst it"s clear that fraud does exist and must be stamped out, it"s equally evident from most studies that the Government saves more money from unclaimed entitlements than it loses through criminal actions.
The persistent campaign of tarring those on social welfare is nothing more than a political tactic to soften up the electorate for an attack on the levels of unemployment benefit and assistance in the next budget.
And whilst nobody could support a regime which incentivises people not to work, it"s a little rich for the Government to effectively attempt to blame people for being on the dole, when jobs are being lost at a terrifying rate on its watch.
Of course, Fine Gael has joined the chorus of social welfare bashing, proving that there"s little difference between the parties on key issues.
In Ireland we are paying the price for a mismanaged economy, an unsustainable economic boom and a property bubble inflated by the banks, whom we are now bailing out hand over foot.
We are paying each week out of pocket for a top-heavy public service, where vested interests rule and the Government refuses to tackle the inefficiencies and bloated areas that exist.
Next time you look at your reduced pay packet, don"t blame the immigrants, those on social welfare or even your employers. Instead, take a hard look at those who govern us.
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