Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 January 2015
93. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will restore the full entitlement of jobseeker's allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin in view of the fact that payment was interrupted by her Department when the family became homeless; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2909/15]
View answerThere has been no change in the position since the replies to the Deputy’s previous questions Nos. 142 of 5 November 2014 and 164 of 25 November 2014 regarding this matter.
The person concerned had previously been in receipt of jobseeker’s allowance from 20 May 2011 until 15 July 2014. This claim was closed as the Department became aware that she was no longer at her stated address and her whereabouts at the time were unknown. Consequently, when the person concerned made a new claim for supplementary welfare allowance on 16 October 2014, it fell to be treated as a new claim and was awarded at the correct payment rate appropriate to her age in line with current social welfare legislation. There is no provision in current legislation for the person concerned to be paid supplementary welfare allowance at the rate at which she was previously receiving jobseeker’s allowance.
