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College student 'There's been no dancing on tables or shots at the bar'

Harry McCann says students involved in recent ‘partying’ are not representative of the majority trying to study and live within Covid guidelines.

ARRIVING AT THE gates of student accommodation late last week felt rather surreal.

It was over seven months since I had packed my bags and left in the midst of a lockdown. While all had changed in the outside world, everything inside my student apartment felt the same.

Even before the scenes of students partying in Galway this week, it was difficult to imagine I would be here for long. The hustle and bustle in the corridors and the groups of new friends are sights that would send public health officials into a cold sweat.

‘Pressure cooker’

College life at the moment is a pressure cooker ready to blow, and the question has to be: How did we let it get this far? 

Much like myself, thousands of students across the country, many for the very first time, set off to college this week for a new academic year. After a summer of unprecedented events, we came back with energy and enthusiasm for a return to some sort of normal.

The halls of my student apartment have been filled with the sounds of the chatter and laughter of new housemates. This excitement for most has found its expression in low-key gatherings within guidelines.

For the minority, however, it has resulted in drunken scenes that have made headlines and sparked outrage in the media and online. 

It feels now as if the events of recent months are a distant memory. The idea of catching Covid-19 is starting to feel more like an inevitable reality, rather than a distant nightmare. 

My phone pinged and buzzed throughout Friday and Saturday last after the government announced that universities would have to move online, where possible. I had emails from every department and lecturer, all with the same line, “today was a bit of a surprise for us”.

If the institutions were surprised, you can imagine just how shocked students were at the news.

Many of us had travelled across the country to live in over-priced student accommodation and digs with strangers.

Are we safe now?

If I can’t go into lectures, how is safe for me to be in my apartment building, interacting with other students? It’s a tough one because we want to be here, we want to learn.

It’s understandable that people are upset at students, given recent videos of socialising. But maybe it is time people realise that students have been underrepresented and negatively treated throughout this pandemic. 

Despite the government’s request to all Irish universities to introduce enhanced public health protection measures, it has become obvious to many of us that this approach was well short of what was required.

The fallout associated with the reopening of third-level institutions should not have been an unexpected development. Government and college bodies had ample time to prepare.

The UK and France are both in the grip of an increase in Covid infections due to a flurry of outbreaks at universities. The risks have been well publicised both nationally and internationally, we knew this one was coming. 

The science tells us that while young people are less likely to have symptoms, they are still infectious and can spread the virus to others without knowing it. However, it’s also the case that many students are away from home and no longer interacting with older high-risk family and relatives.

‘In youth we learn, in age we understand’

If you take your own personal social responsibility out of the equation and cast your mind back to how you were in your late teens or early 20’s, what would you do? 

My first week back to college as per tradition was celebrated with pints with friends. However, things were far from normal. There was no dancing on tables or shots at the bar.

Instead, we were confined to a table we had booked in a pub with drinks a little too pricey for a student budget. There were moments when life appeared to be back to normal, but they didn’t last long.

Between the masks in the bathroom, and the steady flow of hand sanitiser, it was clear that this was a night out in the time of Covid. As we all come to terms with the realities of the ‘new normal’, college students are trying to come to terms with a seismic shift, just as everyone else is.

We are facing an academic year of uncertainty, part-time employment is lost or at risk, interaction and experiences with friends are limited, life is on pause and all of the important parts of growing up in Ireland are impacted. I think it is important to understand that there is no conspiracy amongst the student population to undermine what has been achieved in curtailing the virus so far.

Most are doing their utmost, but it has been incredibly challenging. Mental health professionals working with adolescents have already recognised that restrictions impact the student population differently.

It is developmentally appropriate for us to prioritise friendships. I believe social distancing from friends takes a much more negative emotional toll on younger people than it would on more mature age groups.

A huge part of growing up is creating social relationships. The urge to socialise, party, and hang-out with friends isn’t coming from a selfish place in many cases. Although, it is obvious that the extent needs to be addressed. 

It was reported at the weekend that students in some colleges would be facing fines and even expulsion for breaking guidelines. In particular, students found to be organising, hosting or attending a gathering.

Maybe it is time for the government to force all institutions to sign up to agreed guidelines on preventing Covid? There may be an argument for fines and some sort of measures to prevent people from losing the heads.

As a student returning to college under these rules, I for one would be making sure that others around me weren’t jeopardising my education for a hangover. I am also quite sure that Mammy and Daddy would be up in arms if they had wasted their hard-earned cash to see their kids back home and locked down again after only a few weeks. 

We need a more proactive approach. We need leadership and not scapegoats. Yes, a cohort of students is letting the greater student population down, but they’re not representing ALL students.

Action is required now before it gets out of hand, and before the minority ruin it for the majority. The educators need to step up to the plate and the Government needs to enforce regulations to ensure adherence. 

Messaging needs to be clear and targeted. I can go onto campus for a pint and a sandwich in a college bar, but not a lecture? There are countless examples of how students were left in the dark about their futures in the past few months. For this reason, the blame for not adhering to guidance cannot firmly sit with students.

The return to college was always going to present issues, and everyone needs to take responsibility for the problems we now face. There definitely is a mindsight amongst students that our indestructible youth will protect us from this pandemic.

The evidence clearly points to this idea being a myth, but we need to get the message out.

A tweet from UCC student, Ben Quigley trended this week when he spoke about how he was left unable to breathe and “temporarily paralysed from the neck down” almost two weeks after testing positive for Covid. The story from the 20-year left many shocked and made many students (including myself) think twice about our plans for the week ahead.

Maybe Dr Ronan Glynn needs to take a break this week and let Ben take his place at the Covid briefings.

Harry McCann is a 21-year-old student at University College Cork and an award-winning entrepreneur.

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    Mute Peter 66
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    Jan 24th 2012, 8:00 PM

    I heard a 49 yr old guy on the radio today saying he was too old to work & was on the ‘scratcher’ for 20 yrs. When there were jobs a plenty guys like the one above couldn’t be bothered & it is him & ‘haversacks’ just like him that we just can’t carry anymore.

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    Mute Eileen Gabbett
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    Jan 24th 2012, 8:59 PM

    I agree . This ”man” is a disgrace to himself and his family and a burden to us all .

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    Mute Thevoice Ofreason
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    Jan 24th 2012, 11:18 PM

    And there are thousands more, anyone who didn’t work through the Celtic tiger should be denied dole automatically. These people don’t want to work. Every single father must pay for his child. I know a single girl working two jobs who is getting less money than a single mother who never worked has a child with her live in BF who the gov don’t know about in the house that our tax money paid for. Our tax money bought her a laptop and computer lessons and she’s going abroad on holiday a few times this year again with our tax money. She’s doing some laughing at us eejits working!!
    I’d rather my money went to nurses and garda and fire men and honest people.
    If you are going to thumbs down my comment could you please explain why, only cowards don’t agree with something and then don’t say anything about it, thanks

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    Mute Feeds
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    Jan 24th 2012, 7:57 PM

    How much is profiling 500000 people going to cost the taxpayer exactly? Will they employ a thousand people to move stacks of paper from one desk to another now? Is this the “job creation” the government promised?

    95
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    Mute Eileen Gabbett
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    Jan 24th 2012, 9:05 PM

    cost == eeny meeny miney moe…..and four bundles and so on down the line

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    Mute ap freely
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    Jan 24th 2012, 8:17 PM

    In Australia I think after 6 months on the scratcher you have to join green peace or some other NGO, would make more sense to have something like this in place to weed out the people who don’t want to work

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    Mute Feargal Mac Dubhaill
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    Jan 24th 2012, 9:44 PM

    I have seen first hand the type of people who have always lived off the social and they are a bunch of cretins, they’d rob the green and breach the peace! These people, largely, have no ambition beyond those who conceived of them in the back of a pickup.
    This is a social problem and in my humble opinion, it needs to be tackled earlier on to change the mentality that drives this sub culture of state dependence.
    The social welfare system should be much less about handing out cash and more about giving people enough to move on to something better, in a case and category specific manner.

    54
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    Mute Thevoice Ofreason
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    Jan 24th 2012, 11:20 PM

    Great idea and It might give them a bit of respect for themselves as well.

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    Mute John Delaney
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    Jan 25th 2012, 12:02 AM

    I know one polish man personally with a PhD working in factory cutting steel pipes. Will work to pay rent and support family. Also know a girl under 25 with 2 children on support with medical card rent allowance unmarried mothers allowance cash job with 08 BMW outside door. Her jockey also lives there. Take away all her benefits!!!!

    73
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    Mute Mike Fitzgerald
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    Jan 25th 2012, 5:30 AM

    I would certainly agree with everything you said.

    Could i suggest filling out the form on the departments website so that appropriate steps can be taken against this person if she is committing welfare fraud.

    https://www.welfare.ie/EN/Secure/Pages/ReportSuspectFraud.aspx

    Could i suggest that everyone who knows of such people do the same? It’s up to all citizens to help stamp out welfare fraud. It our money they’re stealing!

    24
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    Mute Michael Kelly
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    Jan 25th 2012, 9:44 AM

    Have you reported this to the welfare fraud department?

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    Mute G Charles Osborne
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    Jan 25th 2012, 11:00 AM
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    Mute Daniel R
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    Jan 24th 2012, 8:00 PM

    So students fresh out of University with hard earned degrees worth nothing will be punished for not taking that job offer as a cashier at a convenience store? “Oh but they should be grateful to have a job”- government propaganda phrase.

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    Mute Ryan Allen
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    Jan 24th 2012, 8:13 PM

    Those just out of university wouldn’t be the most likely to become long term unemployed I’d say.

    And in fairness working in a shop is beneath no one. I did it for 4 years and would do it again if I had to.

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    Mute Killian Maher
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    Jan 24th 2012, 8:16 PM

    To be honest the industrious grads will probably try get any job and springboard to a career from there… Also degrees are not worth nothing. Students graduating in computer science will have many opportunities and some friends who have recently graduated in business, hr and science have done well as graduates and gotten on the career they want.

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    Mute Peter Carroll
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    Jan 24th 2012, 8:17 PM

    Benefit supported unemployment should not be a lifestyle choice. If you cannot immediately find the job that you believe you are qualified for and choose not to work at anything else, why should the State support you?

    92
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    Mute Eileen Gabbett
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    Jan 24th 2012, 9:01 PM

    Honest paid work is not beneath anyone ,

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    Mute P Wurple
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    Jan 24th 2012, 10:01 PM

    Absolutely nothing wrong with working as a cashier with a degree. I would have much more respect for someone who did that.

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    Mute Donncha Burke
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    Jan 24th 2012, 10:15 PM

    It’s better than scrounging off the state…

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    Mute Stephen McPadden
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    Jan 24th 2012, 11:47 PM

    Presuming your degree was not retail related, you already expect to be unemployed and seeking benefit? Fantastic ambition

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    Mute Donncha Burke
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    Jan 24th 2012, 11:52 PM

    My degree is in Journalism but I work in energy severance but it’s far better than being on the dole I think. I can’t get dole anyway as I have a herd number and I wouldn’t as I don’t agree with it…

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    Mute John McCarthy
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    Jan 25th 2012, 12:17 AM

    What is energy severance and are you willing to pay the FULL COMMERCIAL cost of your “journalism course. Christ help us, if muppets like you are the journalists of the future.

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    Mute Eileen Gabbett
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    Jan 25th 2012, 12:31 AM

    Donncha
    What is a herd number ?

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    Mute Donncha Burke
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    Jan 25th 2012, 12:56 AM

    A herd number is a number that farmers have to designate their herd. Energy severance is self explanatory, what do you mean? I educated myself in the Uk paid £3,500 a year tuition, but there are no jobs in journalism. How does my eagerness to make a living dispite the economic circumstances hinder my journalistic ability. I may work in an industry or profession that deals with the lowest echelons of society who struggle in the harshest and most harrowing circumstances and conditions. This said, I am glad to have a job, and I still maintain an active twitter and blog, just because I’m not writing in news papers and using my qualification to fund my life it doesn’t mean I’m a worthless or unintelligent parasite. I think what you said reflects far more on your alleyway like narrowmindedness.

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    Mute Eileen Gabbett
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    Jan 25th 2012, 1:09 AM

    Donncha
    I am a city girl ! I have never heard of a herd number . Also my ignorance knows no bounds tonight ,but I have never heard of energy severance either. Congratulations on getting your qualifications in journalism , I don’t think anyone meant you are worthless or unintelligent. However if some one is not working and they do not have a herd number or any other fall backthen the only option is to go to social welfare, which does not entitle anyone to tell them that they are ”scrounging off the state” .Particularly if they have dependents. Good luck in your job and good luck with your degree.
    :) :)

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    Mute Sean O'Keeffe
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    Jan 24th 2012, 8:08 PM

    Brought to you by the people that lost €3.6 billion down the back of the sofa!
    This is getting ridiculous!

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    Mute Sean O'Keeffe
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    Jan 24th 2012, 8:13 PM
    44
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    Mute Thevoice Ofreason
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    Jan 24th 2012, 11:54 PM

    This madness can’t go on anymore, we have to stop it now.

    8
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    Mute Ruairí Bulger
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    Jan 24th 2012, 9:45 PM

    To be fair, I think it’s a great idea, a brother of mine was very happy to sit at home for years and not bother looking for job until the revenue started calling out to talk to him, he got a job in 2 weeks after.

    No offence to my bro, but it’s people like that they are trying to target.

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    Mute Owen Jennings
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    Jan 24th 2012, 8:17 PM

    So have all the moaners here got some other ideas then? Burn the bond holders………. Yawn! Moaning won’t get us anywhere, appropriate training might?

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    Mute ap freely
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    Jan 24th 2012, 8:42 PM

    Surely you are mistaken, no ones comes on here to moan

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    Mute Eileen Gabbett
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    Jan 24th 2012, 8:56 PM

    What do you suggest Owen? Any nuggets of wisdom from yourself there ?
    What kind of appropriate training ?

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    Mute Owen Jennings
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    Jan 24th 2012, 10:21 PM

    Computer programming, financial services, language skills……. Let’s do all the kind of stuff that attracts multinational companies to Ireland to take advantage of low corporate taxes and our skilled workforce. Of course this is a very simple idea and it’s one the government are probably pursuing anyway. Maybe folks here could throw similar ideas out there so people could see some kinda light at the end of the tunnel and reskill appropriately….. Better than moaning and looking for somebody to blame all the time

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    Mute Eileen Gabbett
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    Jan 24th 2012, 10:31 PM

    Owen the
    We had an ”initiative ” that was reported yesterday and there were 1200 jobs pledged …….
    €1,250,000,000 is being given to the troika tomorrow and our cupboards are bare.
    There are No jobs …. No training …

    11
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    Mute Owen Jennings
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    Jan 24th 2012, 11:05 PM

    In fairness Eileen, governments don’t create jobs and I hate it when they promise to. They can only create the conditions to create jobs. Burning bondholders now will scare away the multinationals we need to grow our small open economy with little natural resources to do otherwise. Would you set up your stall in a market that defaults on their borrowings? People should look to help themselves instead of waiting for politicians to do so. I am not trying to offend anybody, but as I said, moaning gets us nowhere.

    12
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    Mute Thevoice Ofreason
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    Jan 24th 2012, 11:28 PM

    I suggest we start creating jobs, Ireland is a truely spectacular country. All current advisors should be sacked and invest the money in local entrepreneur’s with new and innovative ideas. That would be a good one to start with anyway. Any other idea’s?

    How about you Owen? What exactly do you mean by appropriate traing?

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    Mute Thevoice Ofreason
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    Jan 24th 2012, 11:51 PM

    Sorry I just noticed but my MSG looks really stupid now, it only showed the first two replies when I started writing that.

    Editor. Do the comments on the iPhone app not refresh when you are looking at the same news story?

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    Mute On the Dole
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    Jan 24th 2012, 8:37 PM

    What training ?? have you checked fas lately not one training course of any use in todays market …

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    Mute Joe Bloggs
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    Jan 24th 2012, 9:09 PM

    I have to agree. When I went into FAS after being on welfare after 3 months to look for training courses the lady suggested I sign up for the Microsoft Office Suite course based on my CV. I have an IT degree….

    Aside from the obvious ridiculousness of that which now makes me laugh a little, there does come a point when the value of training courses just becomes a course to pass the hours of the day

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    Mute Jeroen Bos
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    Jan 24th 2012, 9:14 PM

    You’re right here. This gave me a good laugh. Follow this link and see yourself how much courses Fas has on offer at the moment…
    https://jobbank.fas.ie/servlet/Watis?SESS=561852069_1&SERVICE=CRITERIUMTREE&TEMPLATE=WWW_JS_TRAIN_CRITERIUM_VALUE.HTM&CRITERIUM=F7&TYPE=LTREE&BACK=TEMPLATE%3DWWW_JS_TRAIN.HTM

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    Mute Declan Flanagan
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    Jan 24th 2012, 9:32 PM

    On the dole that’s correct flower arranging how to become a brickie or meals on wheels

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    Mute Anthony O'Brien
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    Jan 24th 2012, 10:04 PM

    I’m all for weeding out people that “don’t want to work”. But, is it not possible that at least some of the people that are turning down jobs are actually working in the black economy? €50 per day plus the dole and benefits is a lifestyle choice for a lot of people that pays very well. Social Welfare fraud is a major part of the problem.

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    Mute Brian Walsh
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    Jan 24th 2012, 8:33 PM

    The best thing everyone can do is travel. Not emigrate, Noonan said that doesn’t happen, but go and see the world. Maybe he’ll even pay for it, the gobshite.

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    Mute Gordon Lucas
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    Jan 24th 2012, 8:34 PM

    It’s an absurd time to bring in legislation that penalises people for not being able to find a job. There are so few jobs that people are leaving the country!! What the Minister for Social Destruction is doing is trying to create a slave-wage economy – a bit like the US – with it’s Hoover City.
    I have known a few people who remained on the dole during the bubble, but it is a mistake to assume that they have not contributed to society. There are multiple ways to contributed to society and I wonder how much have bankers and politicians contributed? Many ‘dolites’ did not subscribe to the bubble-mentality – just as the bubble promoters do not subscribe to a fairer society.
    I’d challenge the likes of Peter66 to answer the question: who has been more destructive to the economy: those *working* within the financial & property sector or those dolites who lived within their means, not wanting more?
    The CE schemes proved that when you allow people the time to find what they want to do, and what they are good at, they will thrive. Of course an economy needs it’s drones to do the factory work, but I wonder how many of them come from Dublin 4?

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    Mute Leslie Alan Rock
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    Jan 24th 2012, 8:50 PM

    I will agree with you on the C.E point Gordon. With such a scheme i would never have started on the road that eventually got me my degree.

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    Mute Ultan Quirke
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    Jan 24th 2012, 9:44 PM

    I think the point is that people who receive offers of work or training and turn them down will be penalised, not those who can’t find work.

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    Mute Gordon Lucas
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    Jan 24th 2012, 11:55 PM

    But who decides what’s reasonable?
    The government that invented Job’s Bridge, or the government that intends to pay Anglo Unsecured Bonds?
    …. and training like, “how to make a CV”?

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    Mute Mx
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    Jan 25th 2012, 2:05 AM

    I’m self employed and I have been employing 2 people full-time but now we will have to close up, the reason is because we are losing 80% of our business to individuals drawing the dole and charging half our industry rates for cash in hand. I’ve reported any suspects since December and nothings happened. They are laughing their heads off and now we will have to stop trading at the end of this month. The black and grey market is where the clampdown needs to be.

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    Mute Des Keegan
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    Jan 25th 2012, 3:35 AM

    yeah Ive heard alot about that recently, that is sad news. Just wondering as you’re self employed will the gov help you in any way?

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    Mute Joe Bloggs
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    Jan 25th 2012, 8:11 AM

    No they won’t Des. As a self employed person, he will not be able to claim any dole, regardless of how much money he has payed in tax over the years.

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    Mute Anthony O'Brien
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    Jan 25th 2012, 8:50 AM

    Totally agree, and what the general public need to recognize is that many (if not all) of these people are under-qualified, not insured and not paying taxes. There is a reason for industry rates, it’s called overheads.

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    Mute Simon Power
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    Jan 25th 2012, 2:02 AM

    There is a minority core of social welfare recipients who are dependent on the State and were contained within the 3% that were unemployed in 2006. I believe they are institutionalised into welfare and this new legislation will do little to change their situation. If they want to throw a job interview it wouldn’t be difficult.

    However, the fact that we got unemployment down to 3% in more economically prosperous times is surely indicative of our workforces inclination to work given the opportunity. Lack of motivation for the vast majority of the 14.5% now unemployed is not the issue, it’s lack of job vacancies. By all means the government should up skill and equip those on social welfare but please don’t label all as scroungers when the majority were tax contributors when an opportunity was available to them.

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    Mute Des Keegan
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    Jan 25th 2012, 3:32 AM

    good man, sense at last. I was working when my friends sat on the dole getting 207 plus rent allowances and fuel allowances, I earned on average 240 a week, in a retail job. didnt get any help from the dole office. and along with that there were lads that i knew earning €1000 + a week as labourers and stone masons. I did honest days working, I was let go. Thankfully Im in college but its harder than ever, its over crowded for one, two there are people unlike myself that are over qualified in my course, and thats bad because the Tutors cannot cater for us all and concentrate on the people who know what they are talking about.
    But to your main point, I hated getting up in the morning to do 4 hrs work knowing that my brothers and friends had a better life than me. however we have to realise that that government never allowed me or these recipiency folk to over spend. Times are different yes, but you and I will never shake the wood lice free. they didnt cause the problem, only the resentment.
    time to look at the folk who are on the dole and have a trade or qualification!!! I have neither and I suffer right now

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    Mute Des Keegan
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    Jan 25th 2012, 3:37 AM

    i mean the lads on the dole who have a trade or qualification and are earning money from it off the record

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    Mute William McGrath
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    Jan 24th 2012, 10:38 PM

    On the issue of FAS- it’s being disbanded in its current form to make way for Solas this year.
    It was reported in Sunday’s Business Post that Solas will develop courses that cater for the needs of the unemployed and of the market place.
    This is a positive move by the government as it’s reforming the vocational education sector, which is desperately needed as, let’s face it, the 400,000 + on welfare can’t all attend 3rd level, either for age, monetary or academic reasons.
    My only problem is the lack of joined up thinking. Jobbridge isn’t a success, it should be amalgamated with Solas to provide experience for those who have up skilled in the vocational education system, instead of catering for (predominantly) 3rd level graduates.
    The vocational educational overhaul is a huge piece of the solution in getting people off the dole.

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    Mute Owen Jennings
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    Jan 24th 2012, 11:09 PM

    Well said

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    Mute Alan Carroll
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    Jan 24th 2012, 8:05 PM

    So will there be jobs for d profiling??? Useless shower .

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    Mute Cpm
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    Jan 24th 2012, 8:16 PM

    ?

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    Mute Raf ⚡
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    Jan 24th 2012, 8:30 PM

    “the new system – which comes in response to the failure of a previous “one size fits all” approach”

    Sure, I’ve read that before: “All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others”.

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    Mute Thevoice Ofreason
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    Jan 24th 2012, 11:31 PM

    There are a lot of lessons to be learned from “animal farm”. F•••••g pigs! It’s one of the few books I read.

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    Mute Frank Bourke
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    Jan 24th 2012, 10:31 PM

    so we can look forward to a whole new lexicon of doublespeak from government around jobless statistics…you guessed it, “unemployment falls again for the third month in a row…down from 2,357 to 2,348 with only a slight increase in numbers of probable exits when adjusted for improbable entrants…” muppets!

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    Mute LoyalIrish Citizen
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    Jan 25th 2012, 12:25 AM

    This is going to confuse the crap out of poor civil servants who don’t read the rule books of Ireland. It is most unlikely that they will not train these civil servants properly.

    I wonder will they profile pretentious American Corporations, Bankers, Developers, Politicians, Solicitors and the low life cronies they keep financing?

    It is most likely that they will continue to illegally use opinions to leave people to starve. For those who might be interested you must ensure they give you a full list of your rights and challenge their use of opinions in the Social Welfare Appeals Office. You need to do most of your communication in writing with these people to build up evidence. Public Servants are still subordinate to you and their opinions cannot take precedence in law.

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    Mute Sara cahill
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    Jan 25th 2012, 8:24 AM

    “Public servants are subordinate to you”. What a load of crap! Just because you pay taxes (as do public servants) does not mean ANYBODY is subordinate to you. Do you even know what that word means?!

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    Mute LoyalIrish Citizen
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    Jan 25th 2012, 8:38 AM

    @Sara cahill: You need to read Article 9.3 of the Irish Constitution.

    Public Servants are assuming authority and at a later date could pay a big price.

    If you are a public servant you should be careful. Ask your boss for proper instructions.

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    Mute Sara cahill
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    Jan 25th 2012, 3:06 PM

    Does Article 9.3 use the word “subordinate” or is that your own interpretation of it?!

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    Mute LoyalIrish Citizen
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    Jan 25th 2012, 5:43 PM

    @Sara cahill: Its based on your role as a Citizen.

    Whether you are child / student , unemployed or employed or retired it is your role as a citizen that always takes precedence.

    Your job is always secondary to role as citizen. If your job stops you being loyal then you resign and take the details to an appropriate authority. You can’t use your job as an excuse in matters of treason. The words “public servant ” are used to describe your position in your job. You cannot be a public servant as a citizen. All citizens are equal in theory.

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    Mute Sara cahill
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    Jan 25th 2012, 7:03 PM

    You’re still not answering the question so I’m going to presume that you interpreted it to fit the ridiculous point you’re attempting to make.

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    Mute LoyalIrish Citizen
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    Jan 25th 2012, 7:31 PM

    @Sara cahill: You have to read up on law to understand the hierarchy and delegation.

    The word subordinate does not appear in the text, but that does not means it not applicable.

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    Mute Sara cahill
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    Jan 25th 2012, 7:54 PM

    So you’re basically making it up.

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    Mute LoyalIrish Citizen
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    Jan 25th 2012, 8:07 PM

    @Sara cahill: Stop being daft. If you don’t like what i say you can always go and read the rule books for yourself.

    If you are a public servant / civil servant then its time to be careful and protect yourself by reading up on the rules and citizens rights and duty.

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    Mute LoyalIrish Citizen
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    Jan 25th 2012, 8:08 PM

    @Sara cahill: Stop being daft. If you don’t like what i say you can always go and read the rule books for yourself.

    If you are a public servant / civil servant then its time to be careful and protect yourself by reading up on the rules, understanding citizens rights and duty.

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    Mute Sara cahill
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    Jan 25th 2012, 8:19 PM

    Excuse me? Daft? Let me just clarify that I have absolutely no interest in the rubbish that you are spouting. I suspected that the word “subordinate” is not found in the Constitution in reference to civil servants. And I was correct. You are probably just another ill-informed private sector worker who believes that you own the public service because you pay tax. Public sector work was probably beneath you in the past (you clearly think a lot of yourself) but now that he country is in dire straits you would like to blame it all on the public sector.
    You stop being daft and maybe start reading something other than the Indo. It would probably make you seem a lot more interesting. Maybe even intelligent.

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    Mute LoyalIrish Citizen
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    Jan 25th 2012, 8:56 PM

    @Sara cahill: It must be a lot easier arguing with me on this site than taking time out to read he rules.

    If you read he rules you will know your position and do not need to argue.

    You won’t read the rules will you?

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    Mute Declan Flanagan
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    Jan 24th 2012, 9:42 PM

    Oh no sorry you didn’t remove them I’m new to this game sorry

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    Mute Thevoice Ofreason
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    Jan 24th 2012, 11:57 PM

    If you are on the iPhone app it’s shit. It really doesn’t work well. A lot of people have this same problem.

    Editor. Why does the journal not fix all the problems with it’s iPhone app?

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    Mute Réada Quinn
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    Jan 25th 2012, 1:20 AM

    It’s going to be sorted in a few weeks. Gavan promised…

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    Mute B OMor
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    Jan 25th 2012, 5:15 AM

    Give joe bloggs a go at fixing it. He has the IT degree and a bit if time on his hands!

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    Mute hjGfIgAq
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    Jan 25th 2012, 11:10 AM

    Ha, thanks Réada. Yes, a new update to our iPhone app is on the way that should resolve any issues.

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    Mute Declan Flanagan
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    Jan 24th 2012, 9:39 PM

    Journal why did you remove my comments ?

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    Mute Saffron Willetts
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    Jan 25th 2012, 11:55 AM

    My parents are both self employed – Its a myth that self employed people can’t draw any dole – they can get jobseekers allowance which is means tested, just not jobseekers benefit e.g. stamps they can also opt in or out of paying contributions. To those who make these statements show me all of the ex self employed people starving in the streets.

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    Mute Colin Byrne
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    Jan 25th 2012, 10:45 AM

    He possibly could be entitled to dole if he closes his business. It depends on previous years earnings though. I know a guy who is self employed but not really getting any work. He was means tested and he got a little under half the dole.

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    Mute Caoimhghín Ó Tuama
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    Jan 25th 2012, 6:25 PM

    A good move if it happens.

    I would also like to see finger print identification for the purposes of social welfare payments. Some say this is an infringement on personal rights, but i had to do the same thing to enter a gym this morning. Surely there is justification for it where your claiming 180 quid or more??

    Was working with a girl once (she was off the books so still claiming fully) who was living with a boyfriend who was also on the dole, with both of them receiving council housing. She was in her early 30′s, and had been living like that since the height of the Celtic Tiger. It was a blatant lifestyle choice, and one she was happy to settle for it for the rest of her life. She had a family of 7 siblings, everyone of whom were settling for the exact same thing.

    Any hint of attitudes against this are immediatly met with the term “Tory”. Just because the Tories were for it doesn’t make it wrong.

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    Mute Sasha Musgrave
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    Jan 26th 2012, 7:30 PM

    No I think that finer print id for the purpose of social welfare payments is going too far. If one needs money, they need to go on the dole. What about finger print identification for those bankers and developers who ruined the country. Most people think that people on the dole are scroungers, and don’t do anything, and go on holidays, a few times a year, but most don’t so it is not good to generalise, Most unemployed people hardly ever step outside their gate, only when they go and sign, as they can’t afford the transport.

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