Tánaiste Simon Harris has said that people remaining on unemployment benefits for a prolonged period would be a “cause of concern”, adding that sanctions can apply where individuals refuse to engage with work or training.
Speaking to Gript outside Government Buildings ahead of this week’s Cabinet meeting, the Fine Gael leader addressed questions about long-term reliance on social welfare by certain migrants, stating that those who can work should be supported and expected to do so, and that non-engagement with employment supports can lead to penalties.
He said that while access to welfare depends on a range of factors, including habitual residency rules, the prospect of someone remaining on the dole for decades without contributing would raise concerns.
“The idea that anybody would be on the dole, which I presume you’re referring to, for that sustained period of time would indeed be a cause of concern,” Harris said.
“And we do have many mechanisms within the social welfare system in terms of ensuring there’s activation, but also ensuring that if people choose not to work and can work, and are not taking up courses, are not taking up opportunities to access employment, that there can be sanctions in relation to their social welfare. And I think that’s appropriate too.”
Harris said it was difficult to comment on abstract hypothetical cases, noting that people may access welfare for different reasons and under varying circumstances.
“It’s very hard to answer something in the general because obviously people can access our social welfare system for many different reasons,” he said.
“In general – and it’s always been my political philosophy – we want to always help people be able to work; and through our Intreo offices, through our activation offices, regardless of your nationality, anybody who comes to this country should be encouraged and supported to work and make a positive contribution.”
The exchange centred on reports and cases in which individuals from both EU and non-EU countries have remained in Ireland for extended periods while relying on welfare supports, in some instances without a recorded work history.
Ireland’s social welfare system includes requirements linked to habitual residence, as well as activation measures designed to support individuals in finding employmennt. These can involve engagement with Intreo services, training courses, and job-seeking requirements.
Sanctions can be applied where recipients do not meet these conditions, including reductions or suspension of payments in cases of non-compliance. The system applies to all eligible claimants, regardless of nationality, once the residency criteria is met.