Unemployment is country's 'major crisis'

Unemployment is the major crisis affecting the country and needs to be addressed as such, the Irish National Organisation for the Unemployed (INOU) said today.

In its pre-Budget submission the INOU called on the Government to "urgently review its priorities".

“The language of economics and its concerns have dominated the public debate to date and here is an implicit presumption that society must fall into place behind the economy”, noted Bríd O’Brien, Head of Policy and Media with the INOU.

"Society and the economy are intertwined and it is not feasible or advisable to ignore social policy in the pursuit of economic goals alone."

“Ireland must invest in its people,” she continued. “It will not be possible to realise a ‘smart economy’ unless we have a ‘smart’ and inclusive society”.

The INOU is calling on the Government to maintain the basic social welfare rate and to cut waiting times for payment of unemployment assistance.

"Slippage in recent months highlights the need for more focused and immediate action," the organisation said.