INOU forms symbolic dole queue outside Dáil Éireann

29 Sep 2010

As TDs and Senators returned to Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann from their summer holidays, the Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed staged a symbolic dole queue outside the Dáil. In particular the organisation was protesting against any possible cuts to social welfare payments in the upcoming budget.

"The INOU is keenly aware that many unemployed people are struggling to make ends meet and keep a roof over their heads," said John Stewart, Co-ordinator, with the INOU. "We are calling on the Government to guarantee that no further cuts will be made to social welfare payments in this year's budget," he continued.

While the seasonally adjusted Live Register figure had fallen for the month of September the INOU was quick to point out that such a drop is expected in September when many people who had been signing on for the summer return to education and seasonal employment.

"Though the Live Register may have seen a welcome fall today, the reality is that we have a staggering number of people desperately trying to find employment," noted John. "Economic growth without jobs growth is an outcome we must avoid at all costs," he continued, "To this end the INOU is calling for the urgent development and implementation of a properly resourced Jobs Strategy."

In the face of growing long-term unemployment, the INOU was adamant that the time had come for all elected representatives of the State to prioritise job creation and to start to invest in a planned and systematic way to address the unemployment crisis.

A copy of the INOU Burning issues Paper on Activation can be viewed or downloaded by clicking on the picture below to the left. Also you can view the INOU presentation to the conference by clicking on the image below to the right.