The Minister for Social Welfare, Mr De Rossa, yesterday reaffirmed his Department's commitment to reforming the social welfare system. "Next month we plan to introduce radical reforms of unemployment assistance for part time workers," Mr De Rossa said. The reforms will allow part time workers claiming assistance to sign off on a weekly rather than a daily basis, with the weekly payment reduced according to their earnings.
Mr De Rossa was presenting certificates to 200 students in Colaiste Ide, Finglas, Dublin. Among them were 100 adults, many of whom had been long term unemployed who entered the college under the Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme, which provides income support to unemployed people who return to education.