Why are so many people seeking social welfare payments?
17 July - 24 mins
Podcast Series
Lunchtime Live
Figures provided to Aontú Leader Peadar Tóibín reveal that 6,329 people have been claiming Jobseeker's payments for 10 years or more.
The figures come despite Ireland's unemployment rate standing at just 5%, with around 145,000 people currently out of work, while employers across many sectors continue to report labour shortages and thousands of vacancies remain unfilled.
With a strong economy and jobs available, why do so many people remain on long-term unemployment? Are persistent barriers such as health, skills, age or caring responsibilities preventing people from returning to work, or does the welfare system need reform to better encourage and support people back into employment?
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