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Job Initiatives

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 June 2013

Tuesday, 11 June 2013

Questions (473)

Simon Harris

Question:

473. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Social Protection the labour activation measures that are in place to encourage persons to take on seasonal work; the provision in place to allow persons to move from unemployment to seasonal work without impact on welfare entitlement when seasonal employment ends; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28012/13]

View answer

Written answers

The Government will continue to ensure that the social protection system incentivises rather than blocks the return to work for unemployed people, including the taking on of seasonal work.

The activation measures available for jobseekers do not discriminate between persons seeking seasonal work and those seeking typical work. Hence, those seeking seasonal work can avail of the same range of activation measures that are currently available to persons seeking longer-term work. To this end, in the first four months of this year, there were some 38,100 referrals of unemployed persons (including those seeking seasonal work) to group engagement sessions with DSP’s Employment Services. As part of this process, all job-seekers are advised of the JobsIreland website and Freephone service where employers advertise their vacancies. These vacancies include seasonal positions.

Employers and other commentators have stated that people are wary of taking up short term employment due to the perception that there would be delays getting back into payment when that employment ends. In order to address these concerns and to benefit the many people who wish to avail of temporary work, the Department decided to extend the period for which claims can be temporarily suspended in November 2012.

Where a person states that they have found work, it is normal practice for a jobseeker claim to be closed. However, in cases where the customer is taking up a short period of temporary work or training, arrangements are now in place to simplify the process of signing off and back on at the end of this period. In these cases, instead of closing the claim, the local office temporarily suspends payment for the duration of the work or training. The period of suspension for temporary work has been increased from four weeks to eight weeks. This harmonises the period with those on temporary training courses.

When the person signs on again after the period of work or training, the claim can be reactivated very quickly and payment restored within a few days. It is important for the customer to make clear to the local office in advance that the work or training is expected to last for up to 8 weeks only. Where a period of employment is expected to exceed 8 weeks, the jobseeker’s claim is closed in the normal manner.

To ensure consistency and uniformity, the treatment of Rent and Mortgage Interest Supplement claims where someone takes up temporary work (up to 8 weeks) is being aligned to Jobseekers schemes. Customers are advised to contact the office administering the Rent or Mortgage Interest Supplement claim as soon as the employment ends so that their original entitlement can be re-instated without delay.

Question No. 474 withdrawn.

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