New action group for unemployed

A NEW group entitled Clare Action for Unemployment has arranged for an address by MEP Marian Harkin to take place at the Community Centre on Chapel Lane on Friday.
Dermot Hayes is one of the founders of the new group and he says it is vital that the unemployed, who are most affected by the economic collapse of recent years, have their voices heard.
“I live across from the social welfare office and the amount of people that are going there for the dole is crazy. I know 10 people that have emigrated from Ennis alone, not to mention the rest of the county. At the same time, the country is putting €50 billion into the banks and no one is saying stop.”
He works with people with disabilities and said that there have been serious cutbacks in this area, while there are delays in getting money to people when they become unemployed.
Mr Hayes says the first thing that the new body will do will be to set up a forum, while it will also campaign to help ensure that vulnerable people are not targeted in the upcoming budget.
He said that huge savings could be made in the coming years by cutting the number of seats in local and national Government. Spending in this area is very excessive, he feels.
“Malta has a population of 300,000 and their system is that they 65 part-time representatives, who would be their equivalent of TDs. The Taoiseach is one of the best paid politicians in the world and leadership must come at a national level rather than hitting poor people on the ground.”
Mr Hayes feels the real misery of the unemployed isn’t always immediately apparent.
“Until now, there hasn’t been any authentic voice speaking up for the unemployed in Clare. Unless you go into people’s houses and talk to them, you don’t hear about the suffering. There are people worried about being able to send their children to second level let alone third level.”
As well as Marian Harkin, other speakers at the event will include Peadar McNamara and Bríd O’Brian, the founder of the Irish National Organisation for the Unemployed.
A number of groups from the voluntary sector will be there showcasing their efforts to support the unemployed.