A reduced rate of €112.70 generally applies for younger jobseeker’s allowance recipients aged 18-24 to protect them from welfare dependency by providing them with a strong financial incentive to participate in education or training to improve their chances of obtaining sustainable full time employment. Currently the weekly personal rate for jobseeker’s allowance recipients aged 18-24 years is €112.70. If a young jobseeker participates in education or training they will receive the maximum personal rate which is €203 per week. Reduced rates do not apply to all young people under 25 including those with a qualified child and those who were in the care of the Child and Family Agency, or TUSLA, during the 12 months before they reached 18. For this reason I am advised that it is not possible to identify current recipients receiving the personal rate of €203 per week solely due to living independently and receipt of a housing support.
In Budget 2020 I increased the rate of jobseeker's allowance for 18-24 year olds who are living independently and in receipt of State housing supports including rent supplement and the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP). The measure which was implemented on 1 January 2020 provides significant financial support towards the housing costs of these young jobseekers who are eligible as their weekly jobseeker’s allowance rates will increase by €90.30.
185 jobseekers aged under 25 who previously received a reduced rate of jobseeker's allowance had an increase in their payments on or after January 1st.
