Vol. 561 No. 1
511 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of non-European Economic Area nationals in receipt of unemployment assistance and unemployment benefit; and the percentage of these who are male, female and adults with child dependants. [3229/03]
Details relating to a person's nationality are generally requested and verified when a claim for an unemployment payment is made. Based on these details the following information is available.
The number of non-European Economic Area nationals in receipt of unemployment assistance and unemployment benefit at 31 January 2003 is 3,162. This represents 1.9% of the live register which stands at 170,701 in that week. Of these, 2,345 were male, 74%, and 817 female, 26%. The numbers with child dependants was 1,809, 57%, and the total number of child dependants was 3,721.
While persons from non-European Economic Areas are generally not regarded as being available for work due to conditions attaching to entry to Ireland there are some instances in which they may be entitled to sign on the live register. This can arise if they are made redundant or have work hours reduced before expiry of their work permit. Additionally persons admitted to Ireland as programme refugees are permitted to sign on the live register.
