Here’s an idea that should be discussed >>>

Firstly. offer generous tax relief to companies that employ anyone that is in full time unemployment. This would be cost neutral to the state. Currently there is Employer’s PRSI relief available through FAS, this should be extended to everyone on the dole.

Example, a person on the dole is paid about €10-12k per annum. Give the dole to the employer if they employ someone on the dole. Offer this payment on a limited basis – i.e. 6 months, 12 months or 24 months. Monitor it monthly so that it doesn’t get out of hand.

Secondly, the dole offices should be made aware of all job openings. If someone on the dole is offered a job, and they don’t take it, cut their dole by 10%. Increase the cuts if they continue to refuse employment.

Example, an umployed SR Technics employee goes to sign-on. The social welfare clerk offers them a job cleaning up vomit from street footpaths in the city centre for €8.65 per hour after boozy weekends. If the ex-SR Technics worker refuses the work, cut their dole by 10%. The next time they sign-on, and they refuse, cut their dole by another 10% etc. etc.

These are just 2 tax neutral ideas to encourage employment.

Ireland needs to be geared up to promote employment – not encourage unemployment.

However, and most importantly, everyone in the country needs to be thinking out ideas like this and ringing their TDs 24/7. Annoy the hell out of them. Get the ideas debated in the Dail.