A long time ago, around 32 years ago in fact, Síle and I arrived back from England jobless, with our first child to stay with my parents in Cork.
As we had been legitamately employed in England (and before that in Ireland) I decided that I should sign on until one of us found a job.

There were of course difficulties and before I could collect my entitlement of £22 per week papers had to come from England.
I was only entitled to assistance as my last place of work was England.

I did however have to queue up at the assistance desk and sign on twice a week while the red tape was being sorted.

Eventually the day arrived, six weeks later, when all was in order and the girl behind the counter started to dole out my £132 onto the counter top.
(It must be remembered at this stage that the only criteria for the amount given on assistance was the amount of dependants)

I distinctly heard the man behind me say to the man behind him.
“Jaysus, How meny childer have he?”