Reasonable start, Mr Lenihan, but lots more to do ; INCORPORATING IRELAND ON SUNDAY [Eire Region]

Summary

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THIS newspaper has long argued that social welfare rates in the State are set too high. In these pages, renowned economist Constantin Gurdgiev has explained how the high rates can lead to a terrifying cycle of long-term joblessness. Even Finance Minister Brian Lenihan has accepted that the levels are so high as to disincentivise work. So we can only applaud the decision taken at a special Cabinet sitting on Tuesday to accept that unemployment payments will have to be cut.

We would hope than the pain of this for those in receipt of dole will be offset to an extent by falling prices. We would also agree that the most vulnerable, in particular the elderly and the disabled, should be protected from the cuts.

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Reasonable start, Mr Lenihan, but lots more to do ; INCORPORATING IRELAND ON SUNDAY [Eire Region]

Yet while these decisions are welcome, it is what is not happenin...

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