Minister announces boost for the unemployed
Almost a quarter of a million euro is to be paid out to support groups for the unemployed, it emerged today.
Seamus Brennan, Social and Family Affairs Minister, announced that €80,000 had been awarded to the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and €160,000 to the Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed.
The grants will go towards the cost of running 32 ICTU support centres around the country providing advice, training and information on welfare rights.
Mr Brennan said the funding was reward for the valuable contribution the two organisations had made to society over the last two decades.
“As employment and social trends in Ireland continue to change and evolve, it is important that organisations like the INOU and the ICTU also alter to meet the new challenges,” he said.
“The unemployment level in Ireland is one of the lowest in the world but there is still a continuing need for supports for those who are seeking help in entering the workforce and for those who are coming to Ireland to work.”
The Minister said much of the money would fund a new Working for Work guide to welfare payments.
The latest edition will include information on social welfare 2005 rates of payment, PRSI, rates, medical card income guidelines, rent supplements, and a plain English guide to social welfare terms.
In 2004, the centres dealt with over 400,000 queries and service requests.
