Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 November 2021
327. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider extending the jobseeker's transition payment beyond the 14th birthday of the child when a recipient is in full-time education to allow the recipient to continue to receive the payment until they have completed their education course; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55399/21]
View answer328. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of parents who lose the jobseeker's transition payment while taking part in an education course due to the child turning 14; if her Department has conducted research into the effect this has or will have on the completion rate of education courses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55401/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 327 and 328 together.
Jobseeker’s Transitional Payment (JST) is a is a special arrangement under the Jobseeker’s Allowance scheme. It is a means-tested payment to support lone parents whose youngest child is over 7 and under 14 years old. It is a requirement for recipients of the payment to engage with the Department's Intreo service.
JST recipients may participate in a course of education. Customers engaging in a course of education should contact their local Intreo Centre or Branch Office as they will advise if Back to Education Allowance is a better option for the person.
Where a person moves to Back to Education allowance it will be paid at the same rate as the JST payment. It will continue to be paid, regardless of the age of the person's child as long as the person continues to meet the qualifying conditions for that scheme.
The number of JST recipients whose youngest child turns 14 while they are in education is not known and the Department has not undertaken research into completion rates in these circumstances. However, as it is possible for such a person to move to another payment in order to complete their course of study, regardless of the youngest child’s age there should be no negative impact on course completions.
Extending the Jobseeker's Transition Payment beyond the 14th birthday of the child would have the effect of delaying the interaction of affected customers with the Department’s Intreo services. The primary aim of the current system is to reduce long-term welfare dependency, and associated poverty, among lone parents, and to improve their access to education, training, and employment support services. Improved access to these services will enhance their skills-set and job-readiness, thereby assisting with their transition into the workforce, and with their subsequent attainment of financial independence. For these reasons, I have no proposals to change the position at this time.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
