Donegal people relying on social welfare need their incomes protected - INOU

14 Jul 2000

Responding to today's local live register figures for County Donegal Tony Monks General Secretary of the Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed said "There continues to be a gradual (seasonally adjusted) decline in the Live Register. Hopefully many people are moving into decently paid sustainable employment. But there are still 10,652 people on the Live Register in County Donegal."

The INOU is particularly concerned about the effects on inflation on the real value of the dole. Mr. Monks said " With inflation currently at 5.2%, the paltry £4 dole increase in Budget 2000, is now only worth 26p extra a week."

The INOU have already met with Officials in the Department of the Taoiseach on inflation. The INOU, which is part of the Community and Voluntary Pillar of Social Partnership, have warned Government that social welfare recipients cannot bear the brunt of inflation. They have stated that social welfare payments in the next Budget will have to reflect the inflation situation.

Mr. Monks continued "If a review of the Partnership for Prosperity and Fairness goes ahead, the real value of social welfare payments will have to be central to discussions. People in Donegal have suffered enough, with the highest rate of unemployment in the country. We need to create sustainable jobs for the county, but we also need to protect the incomes of those who are looking for work."

County Donegal currently has a live register rate of 13.4%, which is the highest in the country. The national average is approximately 6%. There was an increase of 287 people on the live register from May to June of this year - this is mainly accounted for by seasonal factors, according to the Central Statistics Office.

For further information contact:
Noeleen Hartigan, Press Officer INOU01 856 0088