John Halligan: Increase welfare rate and minimum wage

Junior jobs minister John Halligan has said the rate of social welfare should be increased and the minimum wage should be raised to €11.50 an hour.

He says it is “outrageous” that some young people on the dole get €100 a week. In some cases, those out of work have been “tormented” to get a job, he claimed.

In an interview with the Irish Examiner, Mr Halligan also suggested a debate on whether Ireland should leave the EU may be needed once Britain exits the union.