Thousands still actively seeking work

3 Nov 2000

Today's live Register figures show that despite a continued gradual decline, there are still nearly 140,000 on the Live Register. Tony Monks, General Secretary of the INOU said, " While we are obviously very pleased with the continued decline in the Live Register, we are very concerned about the plight of those still looking for work.

"If you are unemployed at the moment you are living on less than you had this time last year, and many people don't accept how difficult it is for you to get work. You have to be genuinely and actively seeking work to get the dole, and yet unemployed people are constantly being told there is must be something wrong with them because they can't get a job.

" There is a great deal of prejudice against people who are unemployed. Many employers are sceptical of anyone who is currently out of work, which means that they often don't make it to interview stage. In some local social welfare offices, we know that unemployed people are made to feel like they don't even deserve the measly dole payment they get.

"Budget 2001 will be crucial to the lives of everyone who is unemployed. With only 5 weeks to go to Budget day, the Government should be giving unemployed people assurances that this Budget will give them a decent dole increase, and a real chance of getting a sustainable job. Government must deliver on the promises they made to unemployed people in the Partnership for Prosperity and Fairness, or the whole concept of Partnership will be meaningless."
ENDS
For further information contact:
Tony Monks, INOU General Secretary 087 249 6066
Noeleen Hartigan, Press Officer 087 61 67 689 / 01 856 0088