Work and welfare scheme planned for jobseekers

[johnnyskeleton]

sbpost.ie/news/work-and-welfare-scheme-planned-for-jobseekers-49293.html

Eamon O’Cuív, the Minister for Social Protection, is to roll out a new ‘hybrid’ social welfare scheme where jobseekers who do 19.5 hours community work per week will be allowed to work legitimately in the private sector.

The minister has also elaborated on his comments last week about the possibility of a cut to the old-age pension, saying his assessment of the issue could not ignore those claiming state pensions who were also earning significant sums in the private sector.

O’Cuív said he planned to launch a pilot version of the work scheme, involving an initial 3,000 participants, by the end of the summer and hoped to extend its roll-out after a government review.

Under the new plan, the unemployed who qualify for job seekers’ allowance can divide their week between a 19.5-hour community scheme and private sector work, provided they pay tax.

I hate to say it, but this actually (if it is what I think it is) is not a bad idea. It’s essentially getting people to work for their dole (at €10 an hour) and then they are free to do whatever other work they want. Much better than any work you get must be either under the counter or reduce your dole, and there’s an outside chance that it might result in some kind of benefit to society.

EDIT: Already in The Soup, please delete.

[yoganmahew]

Already 'ere viewtopic.php?f=54&t=30546 as js says…

(We hate to delete what can just be locked…).