Work and Welfare Scheme Planned for Jobseekers

[ang]

Not too sure about how this is going to work:-


A major change to the social welfare system will allow jobseekers to continue to receive full benefits and work in the private sector, provided that they also carry out community work.

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.



http://www.sbpost.ie/news/ireland/work-and-welfare-scheme-planned-for-jobseekers-49293.html

O'Cuiv believes the scheme will especially suit skills former unemployed and underemployed in the construction sector for work on community and environmental projects.

[My Nuclear Tomahawk]

It won't work.

If one is unemployed yet can get employment in the private sector, why would you bother your hole working the guts of 20 hours a week for the less than the minimum wage for the state? Anyhow, there are no jobs.

I see this as a devious vehicle to diminish the value of skilled or otherwise labour and run down the average wages paid in this state.
This kind of slithery spin does not create jobs.

My guess is that O'Cuiv has been listening to Bill (bleedin) Cullen.

[C. Flower]

Hard to see what is intended:

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.


So someone would have to find part time work and an approved community work and then they would get the dole on top of their wages? But people can already claim benefit if they are working only part time ?

Very confusing report.

[My Nuclear Tomahawk]

This could also be the thin end of the wedge leading to the eventual situation where one will have to work for the state in order to qualify and receive social welfare assistance.

Beware Greeks bearing gifts!

[Cassandra Syndrome]

Economic suicide. Race to the bottom. This exercise subsidies real wages of other people and incomes will fall further. It will conversley add to unemployment. Who comes up with these schemes? Mr Bean?

Why can't they subsudise unemployed people to re-educate themselves in colleges, universities, proper training facilities etc.?

[Gruffalo]

It does depend on the finer details but this, if done correctly, could be a good idea. I know at least 5 small businesses who need extra workers but cannot afford a full weeks wages. They also cannot get people part-time as many of them are better off on welfare. Something like this might help.

[musashi]

Put your axe away. The scheme seems to be designed to attract blackmarketeers receiving dole to come in outa the cold, legitimise and pay tax. People who avail of this will be helping the community, getting up off their ass AND receiving a regular social payment WITH the opportunity to earn a little more on the side.

It's a good idea, but not great. Inventive but not innovative.

[C. Flower]

Put your axe away. The scheme seems to be designed to attract blackmarketeers receiving dole to come in outa the cold, legitimise and pay tax. People who avail of this will be helping the community, getting up off their ass AND receiving a regular social payment WITH the opportunity to earn a little more on the side.

It's a good idea, but not great. Inventive but not innovative.

I just don't understand how it would work. Did I see there were 3,000 places ? They've just closed down the CDP schemes that were almost identical to this and were established very successfully for years.

This looks like O Cuiv trying to get them back by the back door.

[Andrew49]

Put your axe away. The scheme seems to be designed to attract blackmarketeers receiving dole to come in outa the cold, legitimise and pay tax. People who avail of this will be helping the community, getting up off their ass AND receiving a regular social payment WITH the opportunity to earn a little more on the side.

It's a good idea, but not great. Inventive but not innovative.

I agree with the first part that it is (probably) directed at the jobs black market. But it's a very confusing report in the newspaper, or maybe just Fianna Fail being their usual devious selves. I think he's trying to bring in sanctions against some pensioners whom he judges to be very well off.

A classic quote from O’Cuív in the article:
"The criteria will be to protect those on the lowest income who are the most vulnerable, irrespective of age."

Yet all the actions of this Government (Fianna Fail/Green Party/Mary Harney) has been to attack the most vulnerable.

[Lifeisagame]

I just don't understand how it would work. Did I see there were 3,000 places ? They've just closed down the CDP schemes that were almost identical to this and were established very successfully for years.

This looks like O Cuiv trying to get them back by the back door.
It is ok, Cullen said he would take them on to work free, after all the Big Man said you just knock on doors, he knows.
Now enough bullshite
Will have to fully read the scheme, but there are two questions I have already.
A. Will you exceed the Legal Working Hours per week?
B. If you are then going to work in the community are do depriving some other person of a living.

You know, you can almost feel the panic of the Politicians as they try to grapple with the reality which is a result of their Corruption and the demise of our country. Long may they suffer and in as much pain as is possible.

[Fing Fers]

Just another WPP, a reason for employers not to hire. Why pay someone a full wage when you could possibly take pick from 400,000 + willing to work for next to nothing. We need real jobs or forever will this nightmare continue.

[People Korps]

A stupid plan that makes no sense next

[Kid Ryder]

I think it's kite-flying myself, putting ideas out there and seeing what opposition they generate. FF (not the Greens 'coz they're toast anyway and they know it) are wary of an electorate edgy about what sacrifices are going to be imposed on them 'in the national interest', i.e. in the interests of Oireland Inc.

[Ecoprincess]

If a persons skills are worth using by a company, charity etc; then they are worth paying for. This the arrangmente we use our skills for payment; unless of course the Shops, Service Companies, Mortgage companies, Banks have started to use another form of currency apart from cash?

[Ecoprincess]

Theres an organisation here called Second Chance. Basically as a Graduate you go and work in a business while receiving social welfare. Complete a project for the company and leave.

So I went along for a chat - hell why not. So, I was matched up with a company in Galway, who wanted to use skills that I got from my MBA, and the years of experience that I have, they would pay me nothing not even petrol, lunch etc. The Director drives a this year Merc and was just back fro his holidays in Australia - a month you know sailing his yatch. I asked about the companies stability and he was more than happy to show me the accounts which clearly showed a very good cash in bank balance considering the busines type, outgoings etc. The company could survive for 5 years without earning another penny!


The comapany is financially viable, infact is growing even in this economic climate.

The way I look at it is the job needs doing, I have the skills, they should pay me a wage for doing it. I then redistribute that wage via the mortgage company, ESB, Taxes, Telephone bills, savings etc its called an economy.

I could do the job for nothing but I would be putting/keeping myself out of a paid job. If a jobs worth doing its worth been paid to do.

I do my charity work, I work very hard using all my skills to establish a charity in Ireland. Because I want too, its my free choice and it makes no one richer.

Volunteering is one thing haveing profitable companies take advantage of unemployed people due to the econmic climate is another thing. And I get grief for volunteering for a charity from the Social. This should turn into a full time paid job in about 2 years for me and another 2 jobs for others.

[C. Flower]

Any firm whose sales / work flow has held up should be in clover - lower wages and lower rents and now free labour too, thanks to the Government.

[jinnyjoe]

I just don't understand how it would work. Did I see there were 3,000 places ? They've just closed down the CDP schemes that were almost identical to this and were established very successfully for years.

This looks like O Cuiv trying to get the m back by the back door.

Yes I work part time for a social partnership in Dublin and the closing down of certain CDP's who in all honestly were doing great work, the passion and dedication of all staff are second to none and they were really acheiving results. Shame on you Government, I do realise that running a lot of these organisations seperately are costly but they must be amalgamated into the Local Social Partnerships quickly to continue the good work. The partnerships do tend to get caught up in admin alot , that's where the CDPS can help in relaying the community concern.