Taoiseach reveals plan to redirect social welfare payments to jobs and training

A new job retention and training initiative that will redirect social welfare payments in a “targeted and effective way” is coming, the government told employers and unions last week.

In a letter to the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (Ictu) and the Irish business and employers confederation (Ibec), taoiseach Brian Cowen reasserted the government’s intention to secure a national recovery deal with the social partners.