Gerry Adams has accused Labour TDs of being overruled by their coaltion partners as the Dáil continues to debate the Social Welfare Bill.

Welfare claimants who have been overpaid by or who have defrauded the Department of Social Protection will have up to €28 a week automatically deducted from their dole payments under new budget rules being passed this week.

The number of people missing after a typhoon devastated the Philippines jumped to nearly 900 after families and businesses reported losing contact with more than 300 fishermen at sea.

Using taxpayers’ money to bring pension funds of bankers up to standard was a regrettable but essential move in reviving the economy, Communications Minister Pat Rabbitte has said.

Removing dole payments will be used only as a “last resort” for unemployed people who fail to engage with new services to help people get back to work.

“WE sat here like a family looking out for each other..

A RECENT letter (July 21) condemned Joan Burton for saying she was going to tackle the ‘dole lifestyle’ taken on by some citizens. In fact, the social protection minister is right.

MORE than 50 social welfare claimants have had their dole cut after passing up employment opportunities as part of a tough new Government measure that will intensify in the coming months.

Dole claimants will be offered an extra €50 a week to take on work experience, under the Government’s jobs plan.

WELFARE cheats will be caught out under a mobile phone voice recognition system which will force dole recipients to sign on with their handsets.

DOLE claimants would have to work in the community in order to receive benefits under a Government initiative.

STAFF in the department of Social and Family Affairs took more than 190,000 days of sick leave over the past three years, an average of 12 days per year for each staff member.

DOLE inspectors need to get tough on welfare recipients to make sure they really are trying to find work, a leading international economist has warned.

ALL STAR goalkeeper Gary Connaughton may be struggling for work but he’s ruled out emigration because playing for Westmeath means too much to him.

DAVID still thinks he would be much better off if he was unemployed.