Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 November 2012
137. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of jobseeker's allowance and the current weekly cost of payments; the number of adult dependent payments and the current weekly cost of such payments under this scheme; the number of child dependent payments and the current weekly cost of such payments under this scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51833/12]
View answerThe current maximum rate of Jobseeker’s Allowance is €188.00 per week for a single person, €312.80 per week for a couple and €342.60 per week for a couple with one child. A further €29.80 per week is paid in respect of each additional child dependant. Lower rates are payable in cases where a person has means. A half-rate child dependant allowance may be payable in certain cases, for example where the claimant’s spouse or partner also has a social welfare payment in their own right. In such cases, each adult may get a half-rate child dependant allowance.
At the end of October there were 288,707 recipients of a jobseeker’s allowance payment. Increases were in payment in 24% of cases in respect of 68,062 adult dependents. There were 116,213 full rate child dependents and 40,669 half rate child dependents in payment at that time.
While specific data on costs are not available in relation to these groups, the latest overall average weekly value of Jobseeker’s Allowance payments which covers the period August to October 2012 is calculated at just under €201 (€200.96) per week. This value includes increases for qualified dependants and also includes any arrears that may have been included with weekly payments.
