Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 April 2017
207. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection if recipients of jobseeker's allowance or benefit are required by his Department to take up offers of employment, even in circumstances in which such employment is based on an if and when contract. [18488/17]
View answerIn order to qualify for jobseeker’s allowance or benefit a customer must satisfy certain conditions including genuinely seeking work and being available for work. Customers who are genuinely seeking work must agree a personal progression plan with a case officer and avail of all reasonable employment and training opportunities offered to them.
All customers must be in a position to show that they have taken and continue to take reasonable steps to secure employment. The deciding officer (DO) considers the nature and conditions of the employment sought, including offers made on an “if and when” basis. The DO also has regard to the individual circumstances of the person concerned including the availability and location of vacancies and the person’s family circumstances.
Each case is examined under the conditions for a jobseekers payment on a case by case basis and the conditions of the scheme must be satisfied by the customer.
I truest that this clarifies the issues for the Deputy.
