Evil of unemployment a terrible burden for our citizens to bear
Among its casualties are people of all age groups, but it is true to point out that the real figures of those out of work, under the age of 25 years, of both sexes, cannot be short of 90,000. Many of these young people are forced to enter the dole queue. This is a sad psychological experience, even if their period without work turns out to be temporary.
I regret to say that I am representing a disaster area where employment is concerned. The industry for Carrigtwohill/Midleton have come and gone — leaving behind them the broken-dreams of those people in East Cork who had visions of a future in their native place, with secure jobs and all of the comforts that follow in the footsteps of such jobs.It is really frustrating to see so many of our young people emigrating. All these problems, the neglect and exploitation of our young people is now the greatest national scandal of all. Immediate action is called for if major social problems are not to affect many households.
When you are unemployed you have no money and therefore no autonomy. You also have far too much time to think about your problems and to start getting depressed. It is very easy to feel inadequate when you have nothing. It is also very easy to feel that it is you, rather than the system which is at fault. At first you think something will turn up. When it fails to, you often end up believing that nothing will ever improve.
The Government should consider giving better tax incentives to firms to encourage them to invest more in employment and employees. Existing work experience programmes have meant exploitation among reputable companies is rife. Employees are taken on, on a temporary basis, and years later they are still temporary. It is, of course, an economic ploy because temporary staff have no rights. Other firms place staff on short time, with the salary deficit made up by unemployment benefit.
I want to see productive employment. Employment that will carry security for our workers and their families. East Cork is in a bad way where employment is concerned. Our enterprise boards and the IDA must work hand in hand to see that job creation is a priority in Midleton and Youghal. We have empty factories and IDA land lying idle in Youghal, Midleton and Carrigtwohill for many years, while many of our young people emigrate and join the dole queues .We must rid the country of this terrible depression and do so immediately, by way of job creation.
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