Vol. 535 No. 3
138 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the situation in relation to the new part-time workers Bill; the changes he will introduce in present regulations whereby unemployment benefit is refused to people seeking part-time work; if the matter has been considered with the Department sponsoring the legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12713/01]
The Protection of Employees (Part-Time Work) Bill, 2000, currently before the Oireachtas, provides for the implementation of the provisions of the European Community directive on part-time workers. That directive provides that part-time workers may not be treated less favourably than full-time workers in relation to the terms and conditions of employment, including pensions. The Bill's provisions do not, however, impact directly on the unemployment benefit scheme because, under EU rules social security cover is a matter for determination by individual member states. The conditions for receipt of unemployment benefit require, inter alia, that a person must be available for full-time employment. This does not preclude a person from accepting an offer of part-time work where there is no suitable full-time work available. In such circumstances, unemployment benefit may continue to be paid for days of unemployment, provided the person continues to be available for full-time work.
The rules governing entitlement to unemployment payments are kept under review to see whether changes are required to meet the needs of a changing labour market situation. Any change on the lines set out would have major implications for the schemes involved and there are no plans at present to introduce a change on these lines.
