Kenny: Firms should get €6k to take on new staff

PEOPLE thrown on to the dole queues in record numbers have been abandoned by the Government, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said as he moved to put unemployment centre stage in the election battle.

Mr Kenny said employers should be encouraged to take on new staff with a subsidy of up to €6,000 over two years.

The Fine Gael leader said the funds would come from the welfare budget to create a win/win situation of getting people off the dole and paying taxes.