IMF 'position paper' suggests ways to stimulate employment

A new position paper has given an insight to the areas the IMF could target in their proposals to get Ireland's economy back on track.

The paper has been approved by Ajai Chopra, who is heading up the IMF delegation working here.

It recommends lowering dole payments the longer someone is unemployed, and a review of the minimum wage.

The document also urges tax changes and better childcare to encourage women into the labour force.

Mark Redmond of the Irish Taxation Institute sais a woman-specific tax would not be a simple plan to introduce.

"You're talking about, effectively, a new tax band being brought in at very short notice," he said.

"I also think there may be constitutional issues in terms of distinguishing tax treatment of taxpayers on the basis of their gender, but I'm not a constitutional law expert."