MY BUDGET: trainee Significant measures are necessary to help people on social welfare return to the workforce, according to Natasha Dempsey.

A single mother, Ms Dempsey is working in a Community Employment scheme with Ballymun Welfare Rights, while studying family law with the Ballymun Community Law Centre and the National College of Ireland.

She feels that the jump into full-time employment is too big for many unemployed people to take without considerable assistance from the Government.

The potential loss of family income supplements or medical cards is deterring people from joining the workforce as increased income from employment does not make up for the loss in many cases, she said, adding that some payments should be maintained on an interim basis to allow people enough time to adjust.

"Obviously, I'm not talking forever," she says. "But small things like that do put a hold on people returning to work."

While increases in payments are always welcome, she says, many of the increases given in the last budget were wiped out by cost of living increases and this should be acknowledged by the Government.

"It's no good giving the €14 increase of last year when at the same time your rent goes up and electricity and gas goes up. The €14 increase by the end of January means nothing," she said. Ms Dempsey adds that the Government is in a good position to give a generous Budget, but she feels that many in Government are unaware of the circumstances of those on welfare.

"I would like to see any Government body come out and try to raise a child on €185 a week and send children through school and cloth and feed them."