Changes in eligibility criteria combined with reduced budgets will have major repercussions for umemployed people, the Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed (INOU) has claimed.
Responding to yesterday's Government spending estimates for 2004, the INOU claimed that proposed changes will have a "devastating impact" on those unemployed trying to re-enter the labour market.
The organisation also criticised changes announced yesterday by the Minister for Social & Family Affairs, Ms Coughlan, which mean that those claiming an unemployment benefit payment will have to work longer to be eligible.
The number of paid PRSI contributions required will increase from 39 weeks to 52 under the plans, while the duration of receiving the benefit will decrease from 15 months to 12 months.
"This can only be described as an attack on unemployed people at time when financial assistance and security is required while they seek alternative employment," the INOU stated.
Changes whereby the Employment Supports Services budget will be reduced by 31 per cent also came in for criticism from the INOU.
"This change, in addition to the other changes for the BTEA made in January 2003 and the change in the eligibility criteria for the Back to Work allowance, is a further blow to those seeking to break the unemployment and poverty cycle," the organisation said in a statement. Earlier today, the Minister stated that the changes she announced yesterday were financially necessary.