Tens of thousands of people could be encouraged back into the workforce by changing welfare rules.
That's according to employers body ISME.
It comes as a number of sectors in the economy struggle to recruit staff.
CEO of ISME, Neil Mc Donnell, says some people who CAN work, are concerned they will lose benefits if they take up a job:
"We feel that it's the existing system, the revenue is losing a huge amount of tax, PRSI and UCS because of what's happening right now. If we can entice people back in by for instance, relaxing, the income limits for housing or the medical card are changing the way PRSI is levied will actually attract in 10s of 1000s of workers."
