A person claiming an unemployment payment is expected to make reasonable efforts to obtain employment suitable to his or her age, educational qualifications, skills and experience. A person would be regarded as not being available for work if he or she imposed unreasonable restrictions on the nature of the employment he or she would accept or the location of that employment.
It would be expected that any person seeking employment, whether in an urban or rural area, would be willing to travel a reasonable distance to take up employment. In determining what is reasonable in a certain case, a deciding officer would have regard to the availability of public or private transport and the availability of local employment opportunities. Account would also be taken of average distances travelled to work by other members of the community.
If an unemployed person refuses an offer of employment because of the distance involved, account would be taken of the difficulty in getting to work and the possibilities which exist in that regard. Deciding officers have a level of discretion in determining what is reasonable in such circumstances and, generally, this is not an issue which gives rise to major difficulties. In addition, if a person is refused a payment for this or other reasons, he or she has the option of appealing to the social welfare appeals office which is independent in the exercise of its functions and to which the person can outline the circumstances of his or her case. If the Deputy is aware of a difficulty in a case, I am happy to meet him and have the matter dealt with.
