Fianna Fáil Press Office
Senator Mary White
Dublin Rathdown

27 January 2016

White calls for supports for unemployed over 50s

Fianna Fáil General Election candidate for Dublin Rathdown Senator Mary White is calling on the Government to introduce specific supports for those aged 50 and over who are unemployed.

Senator White pointed out that older people who become unemployed can find it difficult to find a new job due to ageism and misperceptions about their skills.

“People aged over 50 are quite often very computer literate but there can be a misperception that they are Luddites. The Government needs to develop a series of measures to help this demographic get back to work. They can bring a wealth of experience to the workforce that would benefit businesses and companies.

“Employers need to be encouraged to recognise the value that experience. Policies that facilitate this must be actively pursued by Government. Incentives should be provided to employers who hire a new worker aged over 50 and who have been in receipt of social protection payments and without work for a defined period of time.

“For example companies could be exempt from paying employers’ PRSI for the first twelve months of that employment. These sorts of measures will encourage the employment of older workers and will prevent an entire generation from being without a job for the rest of their lives. In the long term this will cost the Exchequer less too, so it is a win:win situation.

“We need a Government that is willing to address the issue of unemployment among people over 50 and to come up with fresh and innovative ideas. I will fight to ensure that older people who are unemployed are given adequate supports to facilitate their return to the work force,” she added.

-ENDS-