Jobseeker's Allowance Eligibility

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 June 2015

Wednesday, 24 June 2015

Questions (36)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

36. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the way a person's jobseeker status is determined when the person signs on for jobseeker's benefit, for example, the way her Department determines and who within the social welfare system determines if a person is a pay-as-you-earn unemployed jobseeker, a self-employed but currently unemployed jobseeker, a casual worker, or an unemployed jobseeker with no previous work experience; the mechanisms available to the person, if that person believes that the status assigned to him or her is incorrect, for example a person designated as previously self-employed may not be offered available training opportunities or a person designated as unemployed but who was in fact self-employed, may be expected to engage in training opportunities not useful to that person; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24787/15]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

As part of the application process for a jobseeker’s payment, it will be determined whether the person is currently fully unemployed, or is continuing to engage in employment, whether casually or in a self-employed capacity. Information on record and provided by the applicant will determine the nature and rate of payment, as well as his/her status prior to becoming and while unemployed. A person who is fully unemployed is subject to the conditions of the jobseekers scheme and will receive appropriate services, including referral to a Case Officer, regardless of whether they were an employee or were self-employed prior to making their claim. A person who, having made a claim, continues to work casually or engage in self-employment will be categorised as such in order that correct payments will be made.

Recipients of jobseeker payments, who are categorised as working casually, or engaging in self-employment, are not scheduled for systematic activation by the Department. However, they may voluntarily access any suitable employment supports for which they are eligible.

Fully unemployed recipients of jobseeker payments are scheduled by the Department to participate in an activation process and meet with a Case Officer. An integral part of this process is the agreement by the person with their Case Officer of a Personal Progression Plan. The Plan identifies what training needs and other supports the jobseeker requires in order to maximise their chances of re-entering the workforce.