Minister Doherty discusses labour and welfare with European commissioner

Meath East TD and Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Regina Doherty, welcomed the European Commission Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis to Government Buildings in the last week.
The Vice President, who delivered the closing keynote address at the third European Financial Forum in Dublin Castle, met with Minister Doherty to discuss social policy across the European Union.
The minister and the vice president discussed the European Pillar of Social Rights, which sets out 20 key principles and rights to support fair and well-functioning labour markets and welfare systems. Delivering on the principles and rights defined in the European Pillar of Social Rights is under the remit of Minister Doherty in Ireland.
The Minister said: “Ireland supports the Social Pillar and its goals are in line with what we are trying to achieve as a government. They include the promotion of education, training, equal opportunities and active support to employment. 
“I see in Meath East more and more people finding work as the economy grows. However, some people have difficulty finding work no matter how strong the economy. My goal is to put in place measure to help such people get back into employment. For example, in December, I announced a scheme that offers €10,000 to employers who hire unemployed people over the age of 50.”