Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 November 2018
230. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if, in cases of persons in receipt of jobseeker's allowance who may occasionally have access to one day's employment only, they can receive consideration in the social welfare payment other than full reduction in lieu in view of the fact that attendance at a single day's employment has associated costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50013/18]
View answerMy Department’s main social welfare schemes for people who are unemployed are the jobseeker’s allowance and the jobseekers benefit schemes. Both schemes provide significant support to individuals so that they can work up to 3 days a week and still retain access to a reduced jobseeker’s payment. The 2018 Estimates for my Department provide for expenditure this year on the jobseeker’s schemes of €2.17 billion.
Where a claimant or their spouse or partner has earnings from insurable employment, earnings less PRSI contributions, pension contributions and trade union subscriptions are assessed as means under jobseekers allowance. I want to advise the Deputy that a disregard of €20 per day is being applied, which can cover associated costs, to the earnings for each day worked subject to a maximum of €60 per week (3 days). The balance is then assessed at 60%. A person working four or more days a week will not qualify for jobseeker’s allowance.
The current days based system can also provide significant income supports to jobseekers who are part-time workers or casually employed. For instance an individual can earn a little over €20,190 per year and still retain a small jobseeker's allowance payment, while the equivalent threshold for an individual with a qualified adult is almost €34,700 if they are both working.
I trust that this information clarifies the matter for the Deputy if he has a particular case that should be examined, the details should be provided to my Department.
