One in five people of working age receive income support

ONE in five people of working age in Ireland receive some form of income support from the State, despite an unemployment rate of a mere 5%.

The OECD’s Economic survey of Ireland 2008 argues social welfare payments will have to be targeted better in the future to ensure they do not prevent people taking up employment.

“The sustainability of long-term commitments should be scrutinised in a clearer framework for the objectives and level of social benefits. As social welfare payments have become more generous, the design and administration of benefits needs to take more account of the adverse impact on labour supply.