Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 May 2014
73. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons this year to date who have had their jobseeker's benefit or allowance reduced or suspended for refusing to engage with labour activation schemes. [19740/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraLegislation provides that penalties in the form of reduced payments may be imposed by a Deciding Officer where clients fail, without good cause, to comply with activation measures.
Activation measures include the requirement to attend group or individual meetings, and/or avail of suitable education, training or development opportunities, or specified employment programmes ( e.g. Community Employment), which are considered appropriate to a person’s circumstances.
A total of 1,113 penalty rates were applied in 2014, to end March.
