Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 January 2024
895. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review jobseeker's benefit in order to ensure those in receipt of it, who are also working, can benefit from additional supports, given they are working and contributing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56946/23]
View answerThe Fuel Allowance payment and Christmas Bonus is paid to social welfare recipients such as pensioners, people with disabilities, carers, lone parents and the long-term unemployed in recognition of their long-term financial dependence on their social welfare payment for all or most of their income.
People on long term payments are unlikely to have additional resources of their own and are more vulnerable to poverty, including energy poverty. It is for this reason that my Department allocates additional payments, supports and resources such as Fuel Allowance and the Christmas Bonus to this cohort of claimants.
Jobseekers Benefit is a short-term payment for those who suffer a short period of interruption to their employment. The payment is not means-tested and the recipients still have an attachment to the labour force and there is an expectation that they will return to the workforce.
Any further widening of the thresholds for accessing the fuel allowance scheme or the Christmas bonus can only be considered while taking account of the overall policy and budgetary situation.
With regards to access to Supplementary Welfare Allowance, my Department can make additional needs payments to help meet essential expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income. This is an overarching term used to refer to exceptional and urgent needs payments, and certain supplements to assist with ongoing or recurring costs that cannot be met from the person’s own resources and are deemed to be necessary. Additional needs payments are available to anyone who needs it and qualifies, whether the person is currently receiving a social welfare payment or working on a low income.
Payments are made at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme, taking into account the requirements of the legislation, and all the relevant circumstances of the case in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance.
Any person who considers they may have an entitlement to an Additional Needs Payment is encouraged to contact their local community welfare service. There is a National Community Welfare Contact Centre in place - 0818-607080 - which will direct callers to the appropriate office. In addition, applications can be made online via www.mywelfare.ie.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
