I propose to take Questions Nos. 1479 to 1481, inclusive, together.
The costings sought by the Deputy are presented in the table following:
New Rate
|
Average Cost per Young Person
|
Full Year Cost
|
€157.80 for 18-24 year olds
|
€2,430
|
€27.76m
|
€180.40 for 25 year olds
|
€1,199
|
€ 2.14m
|
€203.00 for Under 26s
|
€4,532
|
€59.87m
|
These costings includes increasing the €107.70 qualified adult rate to €131.40 per week.
Young jobseekers who participate in an education, training or employment programme currently qualify for the maximum weekly rate of payment. Age-related reduced rates of payment also do not apply in certain circumstances, such as when the claimant has a dependent child, or transferred to Jobseeker's Allowance from Disability Allowance, or was in State care during the 12 months prior to applying for Jobseeker's Allowance.
It should be noted that any change to the reduced rates of Jobseeker's Allowance would need to be considered in a budgetary context.