I commend the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Joan Burton, for her initiative on temporary employment. It is estimated that almost 40% of retailing employers take on extra staff at Christmas time but heretofore many people on jobseeker’s allowance were reluctant to take up this employment because when they broke their claim it took months in some cases to get it back again.

The Minister, having consulted on this, has decided that a claim need not be suspended and that somebody can work for up to eight weeks after which the claim will be put back in place. This is a welcome initiative and it is a sign that this Government is listening to the issues that prevent people who are unemployed getting temporary and full-time work. I hope that this will continue for summer work etc. I commend the Minister for that move.