People who spend a decade or more on welfare should not be ‘vilified’ as they are “caught in a trap,” Saint Vincent de Paul has argued. 

Figures released to Aontú have revealed that  some 6,500 people have been on Jobseeker’s Allowance for a decade or more.  

Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín described the phenomenon as a “major problem” that is costing the State millions of euro every year. 

On Lunchtime Live, Louise Bayliss of Saint Vincent de Paul urged people to be "very careful” not to “scapegoat” those on social welfare or Jobseeker’s Allowance. 

She noted many people have had “very complex” lives and recalled working with one young man who had grown up in care. 

“As a result, he'd missed a lot of school,” she said. 

“He'd got into a lot of teenage misdemeanors, had a criminal record, but nothing violent. 

“I was working with him and he got his own apartment.

“I said to him, ‘Now that you're in your apartment, will we look see if we can refer you to get you an education or training with the idea that you'll get a job?’

“He looked at me as if I had 10 heads, as if I was stupid.”

Ms Bayliss said the fact that he was illiterate and had a criminal record meant he would never get a job. 

This, she added, was a “eye opener” for her. 

“There are people who are very distant from the workforce and there aren't the supports there to bring them in,” she said. 

“Actually, the idea of even applying for a job just becomes overwhelming.

“Rather than vilify people who haven't worked for 10 years, look at the reason why.

“Because 10 years in social welfare is 10 years living in poverty; nobody's choosing that - they're caught in a trap.”

Main image: A leather wallet with euro coins in a mans hand. Picture by: Alamy.com.