Measures to promote full employment
Mitchell asks whether measures such as early retirement, shorter working weeks, and a higher school-leaving age are being considered. O'Donoghue says full employment is best pursued through sustained growth and appropriate policies, with the suggested measures considered in their own social context.
asked the Minister for Economic Planning and Development if his Department is considering measures such as: (i) early retirement, (ii) shorter working week, (iii) an increased school-leaving age, and (iv) a non-working mothers allowance, in order to facilitate the achievement of full employment and other economic and social goals.
Comment on this
In our circumstances full employment and our other economic and social goals are best sought through high and sustained growth based on appropriate manpower, investment and other policies. The Government's planning strategy is geared towards that end. Measures such as those mentioned by the Deputy are better considered in their own particular social context rather than that of the wider national goals mentioned, but to the extent that they have a bearing on the achievement of these goals they will be taken into account.