Peadar Toibin Calls for Penalties Over Long-Term Unemployment Costs

Department of Social Protection data reveals that 6,329 people in Ireland have claimed Jobseeker’s Allowance for 10 years or more, with an estimated cost of €800 million. This information was provided to Peadar Toibin, the leader of Aontú, who is now calling for the implementation of penalties for individuals who remain on the allowance by choice.

The figures indicate a wider trend of long-term unemployment, with nearly 39,000 people claiming the allowance for two years or more. Total expenditure for the social welfare program is estimated at €1.8 billion for the current year.

These developments occur while the national unemployment rate stands at 5 percent, representing approximately 145,000 unemployed people across the country.