Unemployment figures - Jobless must be reassessed

Although we are less than three years into the recession, some 18,000 people have been unemployed for over five years, according to the Department of Social Protection. The figure has doubled since 2003.

In recent years thousands of people have come to this country from all over Europe in search of employment, because there were so many jobs available.

Yet 4,448 people have been claiming unemployment assistance here for over 10 years, which was in the midst of the greatest economic boom the country has ever enjoyed.

The figures would appear to be an indictment of Fás. It has been suggested that some of the “very long-term unemployed” have had literacy problems and others would have suffered from employer prejudices. Questions must be asked about whether those people are unemployable, too lazy to work, or simply making claims to which they were not entitled.

Some things are essential for employment, such as reliability, or skills sets for specific jobs. People may have the skill but may not be reliable in turning up for work, due to drug or other problems. Such people should be placed in a specific category in fairness to Fás, the performance of which should then be properly assessed.