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Is it time to increase the dole?

PutDownArtist

The economy is flying, public sector workers' pay is about to be hiked, optimism levels across the country are soaring.

So isn't it the right time for job seekers' rates to be duly hiked for the first time in nearly a decade?

Or at the very least restored to pre crisis levels?

Poll to follow.

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davo2001

No! Why give certain people less of an incentive to go back to work?

TitianGerm

PutDownArtist wrote: »

The economy is flying, public sector workers' pay is about to be hiked, optimism levels across the country are soaring.

So isn't it the right time for job seekers' rates to be duly hiked for the first time in nearly a decade?

Or at the very least restored to pre crisis levels?

Poll to follow.

I would say no. The economy is turning around and more jobs will be created, now is the time to get people off welfare and help them establish a future for themselves without relying on the state.
Any money which was put to a welfare could be pumped into job creation.

Lollipops23

I think it could be a runner in a few years' time, but not yet.

PutDownArtist

emmetkenny wrote: »

I would say no. The economy is turning around and more jobs will be created, now is the time to get people off welfare and help them establish a future for themselves without relying on the state.
Any money which was put to a welfare could be pumped into job creation.

But the dole used to be 204 euros and now it's 188.

I think most would be in favour of at least restoring it to that level.

Chijj

PutDownArtist wrote: »

The economy is flying, public sector workers' pay is about to be hiked, optimism levels across the country are soaring.

So isn't it the right time for job seekers' rates to be duly hiked for the first time in nearly a decade?

Or at the very least restored to pre crisis levels?

Poll to follow.

No, why should taxes go to fund someone lifestyle above what is necessary for minimum survival, it should be about incentivising people to work.

I could see the argument for an increase in carers allowance or disability but not for a fully fit job seeker.

VinLieger

No its not, SW is one of things that has remained virtually unchanged the entire recession and with tax cuts pretty much a certainty in the next budget raising it makes no sense. Also we are now below 10% unemployment, realistically this can only go so low as at some stage we will get to a % of people who are simply going to want to stay on the dole so if anything we should be planning to lower it not raise it to force those who don't want to work off the dole and back into the workforce.

Triangla

The cost of living measured in the CPI has been decreasing so no.

http://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/er/cpi/consumerpriceindexmarch2015/

the evasion_kid

emmetkenny wrote: »

I would say no. The economy is turning around and more jobs will be created, now is the time to get people off welfare and help them establish a future for themselves without relying on the state.
Any money which was put to a welfare could be pumped into job creation.

I dunno if it would make a difference I'd say the people on the dole have lost interest years ago

osarusan

I have grave doubts about the OP's sincerity in asking this question.

anncoates

Should be doubled at the very least.

Lenin Skynard

They do be havin' the sky tv and all Joe.

pmasterson95

Here comes the high class taxpayers to look down on everyone else.

VinLieger

pmasterson95 wrote: »

Here comes the high class taxpayers to look down on everyone else.

Not allowed have an opinion on the dole if you pay taxes? How democratic of you

blackbird 49

davo2001 wrote: »

No! Why give certain people less of an incentive to go back to work?

SEPT 23 1989

It would be considered bad manners not to

CosmicSmash

PutDownArtist wrote: »

I think most would be in favour of at least restoring it to that level.

Maybe those claiming it would, I couldn't see anybody else giving a flying f**k.

[Deleted User]

Absolutely not, if anything it should be on a rolling reduction e.g up to first 12 months €188 a week, 12-18 months €160 a week. So on and so forth until it reaches a minimum level of say €80-€100 a week. Or better yet, pay it in vouchers:food, toys at Christmas, rent paid directly to the landlord, whatever but never cash directly.

Obviously exceptions for people with disabilities that prohibits them from working but if your able for work, you should be working.

Aint Eazy Being Cheezy

Yeah, jack it up to €500/week. It's only fair. If you were in a job long term you'd expect a pay rise, so why not on the dole?

PutDownArtist

CosmicSmash wrote: »

Maybe those claiming it would, I couldn't see anybody else giving a flying f**k.

I thought you were dead, Mrs. Thatcher?

You certainly would give a **** if you were laid off.

Zillah

The dole isn't about just keeping someone alive. It is about keeping them engaged in the economy, helping their family keep their current home instead of enduring the upheaval of having to move. It's a stop gap against anyone sliding down the socio-economic ladder, because once you or your children go down, it is very very hard to get back up it. I would prefer a professional hold out on the dole looking for another job in their chosen profession rather than giving up and working minimum wage elsewhere, because in that case the only person who benefits is the man who begrudges the millionth of a penny they were getting from his pay check.

So, if the exchequer can afford it, then yes.

AndyBoBandy

No.

I think it should be paid out in redeemable vouchers that can be used to pay;

rent/mortgage
utility bills
groceries (excluding alcohol & tobacco)
preferably Irish owned shops (maybe the vouchers work out better value in Irish shops?)

no more cash (or certainly very little anyway)

seamus

Year-on-year the cost of living in Ireland has dropped.

I see no reason to increase the dole.

Zillah

Sorry I mean "Bloody scroungers looking for a free lunch argh :mad::mad::mad: knackers something something I saw a poor person with a nice TV socialists"

pmasterson95

VinLieger wrote: »

Not allowed have an opinion on the dole if you pay taxes? How democratic of you

No. I just mean those who come in moaning about taxes funding crime or unemployment or whatever slurrys coming out of them.

twowheelsonly

No, it shouldn't.

There should be a reasonable gap between the lowest paid jobs and basic dole payments in order to incentivise people.
Why work a 35/40 hour week when you can get close to the same money for sitting at home?

'Stamps' should make up the shortfall for those unlucky enough to find themselves in short-term unemployment so their dole should be reasonable but for 'long term never worked a day in their lives' it should be a sliding scale downwards.

Gatling

If anything it should be reduced and kept permanently low to reduce over dependence on it .

draiochtanois

This post has been deleted.

BrokenArrows

The dole should only been enough to live on while looking for a job.
The only time it should be increased is when you cannot survive on it any more.

Increasing it so that people on the dole can be more comfortable is crazy.

Currently at 188 euro per week, that's the equilevent of someone on minimum wage working for 87 hours in a month.
The problem with a lot of people is they we themselves as too good for a job.

I'd like to see the numbers of people who are highly qualified and have been on the dole for long periods of time. How many of them are applying for minimum wage positions.

PutDownArtist

You can't have restoration of public service pay without doing the same to the dole.

It's unfair and illogical.

KwackerJack

Its the working class that need a rise!

The working class don't receive medical cards, fuel allowance or rent allowance!

The working class pay PRSI, USC and all associated cost with working!