The Government has committed to producing a report on the impact that discriminatory cuts to jobseeker’s benefits for under 26s had on young people. Budget 2017 facilitated ridiculously tiny increases in the benefit of €2.70 for those aged 18 to 24 and €3.80 for 25 year olds. The report was promised for the second quarter of 2016. It is now 2017 and we have still to see any report on the discriminatory cuts and the impact they have had on young unemployed people. Where is the report? When will we see it and when will action to reverse those cuts be taken?

The report is being done externally, so it is not yet ready for publication. I anticipate that it will be ready for publication within a matter of weeks. From recent information from the Central Statistics Office, the Deputy will know that unemployment is falling rapidly, particularly among young people. Youth unemployment is falling much faster than unemployment in general. Some of the policies we are implementing must be having a positive effect. Work is always better than welfare.

Yes, but it must be proper work.