Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire
Question:156. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing the current young jobseeker’s rate of €129.70 by €1 per week. [15917/24]
View answerThursday, 11 April 2024
Questions (156)
Written answers
Age-related reduced rates apply to jobseekers aged 18 to 24 years and were introduced to prevent long-term welfare dependency by encouraging participation in training and employment programmes.
Budget 2024 increased the maximum personal rate for a young adult to €141.70 per week from January 2024.
There were 11,079 jobseekers on age related reduced rates in March 2024.
The estimated full-year cost of increasing the current reduced jobseeker’s rate by €1 per week is approximately €576,000, based on the current number of recipients.
We have record levels of employment in Ireland at present. My priority is supporting and improving the capacity of people to take up employment, education and training opportunities to help them enhance their employment prospects over time, as well as their ability to earn an adequate income to support themselves and their families into the future. If a young jobseeker participates in education or training, they receive the full rate of Jobseeker’s Allowance of €232 rather than the reduced rate. If they participate on the Work Placement Experience Programme, their weekly rate increases to €335.
I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.