Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 June 2023
403. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the basis on which jobseeker’s benefit applicants who are ancillary staff who work in schools and have to sign on for jobseeker’s benefit for the summer months will have their rate calculated (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30520/23]
View answerAll Educational Sector Workers including ancillary staff who work in schools who wish to avail of income support while temporarily laid-off during the school breaks can apply for a jobseeker’s payment but must satisfy all the qualifying contributions and conditions to receive this payment. This includes being available for full-time work and genuinely seeking work at each school break.
To qualify for jobseeker’s benefit a person must first satisfy certain contribution conditions. In addition, the amount of a person's average reckonable weekly earnings in the Governing Contribution Year (GCY) determines the rate of benefit payable. For new claims made in 2023, the GCY is 2021.
In order to calculate the rate of benefit payable a person's earnings from employment in the GCY is divided by the number of qualifying contributions, in that year, where the average weekly earnings must be above the statutory amount of €300 in order to receive the maximum rate of benefit. Graduated rates of Jobseeker’s Benefit are applied where the statutory amount is under €300.
The standard calculation of earnings divided by the number of qualifying paid contributions continues to apply as normal where a person has actual earnings and related paid contributions in the GCY.
In respect of any periods of a school closure due to Covid in 2021 a person will be credited with attributed contributions for that time.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
