asked the Minister for Social Welfare if his attention has been drawn to the undue hardship for certain sectors of the population caused by the fact that young people aged 16 and 17 are disqualified by the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act of 1981 from applying for qualification certificates, and thereby from claiming unemployment assistance, when section 5 of this Act entitles 16 and 17 year-olds to be employed and to pay PRSI contributions; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act, 1981.
23.
Under existing legislation unemployment assistance is payable only from age 18. In this connection it is of interest to note that the Commission on Social Welfare did not consider that this scheme should be extended to those under 18 but recommended that the needs of 16 to 18 year-olds be met by a reformed supplementary welfare allowance scheme. Supplementary welfare allowance may be paid at present directly to persons under the age of 18 provided, however, that the applicant is not living at home and is not supported by a parent or guardian.
It is also relevant to mention that the various benefit and assistance payments made by my Department and the health boards include increases in respect of dependent children until they reach the age of 18.