'The dole is not a way of life': Tánaiste warns of penalties for long-term welfare recipients

Simon Harris also outlined plans for a national migration strategy and renewed action against drug gangs and anti-social behaviour

Simon Harris at the Fine Gael Ard Fheis in UCC. Picture: Chani Anderson

The “dole is not a way of life” and there will be a crackdown on those who remain on social welfare long-term, the Tánaiste has warned.

In a speech at the Fine Gael Ard Fheis at University College Cork (UCC) on Saturday evening, Simon Harris reminded the 1,200 delegates present that Fine Gael is the party for people “who gets up early in the morning and does a good, decent day’s work”.