Social welfare abuse - Even 1% is too many

Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton has been roundly criticised for being arrogantly and gratuitously insulting when she suggested that some people are not making a serious effort to get back into the jobs market.

A great majority of the unemployed are undoubtedly out of work through no fault of their own, but some of her more vocal critics have certainly left themselves open to the charge of being unfairly critical of her.

In fairness to the minister, she stated that she was only talking about 1% to 3% of those claiming unemployment assistance.

Everybody probably knows of somebody who is milking the system.

She confirmed that those on the Live Register who do not engage in retraining will have their assistance cut up to €44 a week.

A condition of getting the payment is that the person must make a serious effort to get back to work.

Social welfare officials tell of people who have been placed in jobs, but quit because they felt they were just as well off, or even better off on the dole.

The minister was on safe ground when she suggested the number may be as low as 1%, but even that is 1% too many.