Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 September 2020
719. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to extend the amount of time that jobseeker’s benefit is payable in terms of the post Covid-19 outlook (details supplied); her plans for the cohort; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21940/20]
View answerThe 2020 revised estimates for my Department provide for expenditure this year on Jobseekers Benefit (including Jobseekers Benefit for the Self- employed) of €1.58 billion.
Jobseeker's Benefit is a weekly payment to people who have lost their employment and who satisfy the scheme's statutory 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 and for 6 months (156 days) for people who have less than 260 paid.
Where a person has exhausted their entitlement for Jobseeker’s Benefit they may apply for support under the means tested Jobseeker’s Allowance scheme.
The July Stimulus package contained significant funding of some €200 million in supports towards education, upskilling and work placements for people who are unemployed, to help them avail of employment opportunities as the economy gradually reopens. It also includes more apprenticeships and incentives for employers to hire young unemployed people. Details of these employment support service measures to assist people back to work are available on www.gov.ie
Any person who is experiencing financial hardship may access assistance under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme including Exceptional and Urgent Needs Payments. Information on the supports available under this scheme is available at www.gov.ie
The Jobseekers schemes are continually monitored particularly in the context of COVID-19 and any changes would need to be considered in the context of the Budget having regard to available resources.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
