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12 March 2014

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Gateway: Joan Burton accused of misleading Dáil over 'work-for-dole' scheme

Social Protection Minister Joan Burton with Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore

"Some families will lose a portion of their payment for the privilege of working. This is forced labour and it should be condemned." - Aengus Ó Snodaigh

SOCIAL Protection Minister Joan Burton has been accused of misleading the Dáil in relation to the compulsory 'Gateway' work placement scheme by Sinn Féin's Aengus Ó Snodaigh. The accusation came after documents received from the Minister's Department show that parents who work for 19.5 hours per-week for €20 on top of their Social Welfare payment will not receive anywhere near €20 per-week, as claimed by the Labour Party minister.

In the documents provided to the Dublin South-Central TD, which have been seen by An Phoblacht, it is revealed that the top-up payment will be almost fully eroded as PRSI will be paid on the total income.

For example, a family with one child would receive a mere €5.50 extra per-week, while a family of three children would receive an extra €3.11 if a parent took up a role with the compulsory scheme. The income of larger families would actually decrease.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh said he believes the scheme is about providing chronically underfunded local authorities with “cheap general dogsbodies”.

Speaking to An Phoblacht, he said:

"Some families will lose a portion of their payment for the privilege of working. This is forced labour and it should be condemned."

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