Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 June 2020
1014. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if payment will be made for the nine months under the present eligibility criteria in cases in which a person transfers from the pandemic unemployment payment to jobseeker’s benefit; her plans to extend the payment beyond nine months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11317/20]
View answerJobseeker's benefit is a weekly payment to people who have lost their employment and who satisfy the scheme conditions including the requirement to have sufficient social insurance contributions paid. This benefit is paid for 9 months (234 days) for people with 260 or more PRSI contributions paid. It is paid for 6 months (156 days) for people who have less than 260 PRSI contributions paid.
Where a person transfers from the Covid-19 pandemic payment to jobseeker’s benefit, payment may be made for up to 9 months dependent on their PRSI contributions paid. Where a person has exhausted their claim for jobseeker’s benefit they may apply for means tested jobseeker’s allowance.
I trust that this clarifies the matter.
