Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 November 2014
169. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the anomaly for casual workers who complete the UP16 form which allows 60% of their earnings to be deducted from jobseeker's allowance payments in the week worked, even though salary may not be paid until the following month, in some cases reducing the jobseeker's allowance payment to nil. [45063/14]
View answerJobseeker’s Allowance is payable where all the conditions for the scheme are satisfied. If a person finds employment their earnings are taken into account in determining their means. A disregard of €20 a day (up to a maximum of €60) applies up to a maximum of 3 days and the balance is assessed at 60%.
In determining the assessable income from insurable employment the following deductions are allowed: superannuation, additional voluntary contributions, PRSI, the pension levy and trade union subscriptions.
Jobseeker’s allowance is not payable where the average means are equal to or in excess of the relevant family rate of jobseeker’s allowance.
A person who has insufficient funds to meet their needs can apply for a payment under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme by contacting the Department’s nearest Intreo centre/Local/Branch Office.
