Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 May 2021
414. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she plans to extend the eligibility period for those currently in receipt of jobseeker’s benefit who remain on reduced hours in their employment but whose entitlement to jobseeker’s benefit has been exhausted. [22836/21]
View answerThe Jobseekers Benefit scheme is a statutory income support paid to people who have lost employment. The payments are based on pay related social insurance contributions paid while a person was in employment. A person must be unemployed for at least 4 in 7 consecutive days to be eligible for the payment and they must satisfy the other qualifying scheme conditions.
The duration of payment for Jobseeker’s Benefit is 9 months (234 days) for people with 260 or more PRSI contributions paid. It is paid for 6 months (156 days) for people with fewer than 260 PRSI contributions paid.
The Department corresponds with the Jobseeker's Benefit recipient in advance of the expiry date of their claim and advises of the option to apply for the means tested Jobseeker's Allowance scheme. Jobseeker's Allowance has no duration limit as long as a person meets the qualifying scheme conditions including the means test.
I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
