Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 February 2015
18. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will review the policy of reduced jobseeker’s allowance to those under 25 years of age in view of the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 16 who is living alone following the death of their sole guardian yet still has had a maximum of €100 applied to their jobseeker’s allowance. [4976/15]
View answerThe rate in question does not arise out of consideration of benefit and privilege rules. Rather, adjusted rates for younger jobseeker’s allowance recipients were first introduced in 2009. Budget 2014 further extended the adjusted rates of jobseeker’s allowance to recipients under 26 years of age. This is a targeted measure aimed at protecting young people from welfare dependency. It aims to incentivise young jobseeker’s allowance recipients to avail of education and training opportunities. If a jobseeker in receipt of the reduced jobseeker’s allowance rate participates on an education or training programme they will receive a higher weekly payment of €160. There are no plans to change provision in this area. In the case of the person concerned the rate of payment of his jobseeker’s allowance has been calculated correctly. Given his difficult personal circumstances, the request to backdate his claim has been approved. The arrears due to him are included in his payment dated 3 February 2015. In order to assist him in his efforts to seek employment, Departmental officers have liaised with both the person concerned himself and a local community activist who has been heavily involved in supporting him. An appointment with the Local Employment Services has been arranged for 19 February 2015 in this regard.
