Seán Sherlock
Question:766. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the cost of a removing the three-day waiting period for jobseeker’s benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36785/23]
View answerTuesday, 25 July 2023
Questions (766)
Written answers
There were just over 33,000 recipients of Jobseeker's Benefit in June 2023. There is significant churn of recipients on the scheme, and it is estimated that that the figure of 65,000 is more representative of the number of people who would have had waiting days applied to their claim.
The estimated annual cost to the Exchequer of a waiver of waiting days for Jobseeker's Benefit is approximately €8.6 million. This is based on 65,000 individuals who would receive an extra three days' payment of Jobseeker's Benefit at the current maximum weekly rate of €220.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.