Madam, – Last month I placed an ad on the Fás website for full- time and part-time work in a new restaurant I was setting up. I had approximately 400 e-mails with CVs.
With the exception of five full-time students, no Irish applied for the job. I am based in the city centre.
It appears that the Irish are very particular about what work they will do. It is obvious to me that many of the reported 400,000 plus unemployed would rather continue to draw their benefits than work for a salary.
There are jobs available, so the new government has to ensure that employers have access to the details of anyone who is drawing money from the State as a “jobseeker”.
A simple database compiled by the Department of Social Welfare, searchable for skills and previous experience, with a buffer for personal details, could enable an employer to contact either Fás or the Department of Social Welfare directly to offer interviews to the “jobseeker” rather than having to wait for the “jobseeker” to deign to apply for a job.
As well as being efficient for employers, it would quickly identify those who prefer to be paid for doing nothing. – Yours, etc,