Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 September 2015
252. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she is aware that credit unions in County Donegal, as not-for-profit organisations, are prevented from taking on volunteers to assist them, who are in receipt of support benefits from her Department as they are not categorised as a voluntary organisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31718/15]
View answerIn order to qualify for a jobseeker’s payment, a person must satisfy certain conditions including being available for and genuinely seeking work. A person who engages in voluntary work may continue to be entitled to jobseekers payments provided that, in engaging in the voluntary work, the customer continues to satisfy the statutory conditions of the scheme.
The type of voluntary work in which jobseekers may engage includes, for example, helping the sick, elderly or persons with a disability, assisting youth clubs, church groups, sports groups, cultural organisations, local resident associations. It would be usual for the organisation to be a registered charity or a not-for-profit organisation.
Where a jobseeker seeks to take up unpaid work, a deciding officer determines on a case by case basis whether the work is truly voluntary by examining the type of work involved, the aims of the voluntary organisation and the weekly hours worked. There must be no implication of job replacement involved. A deciding officer has to be satisfied that the work in question is voluntary and can be undertaken without affecting entitlement to a jobseeker’s payment.
Question No. 253 withdrawn.
