Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 May 2014
456. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person in receipt of jobseeker's allowance and who has received an offer of part-time work, three hours a day, five days a week, at a minimum rate of pay, is entitled to retain some or part of their jobseeker's allowance in view of the fact that the maximum hours involved is 18 hours per week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23140/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraJobseeker’s allowance is a means-based social assistance scheme for unemployed people in respect of a week of unemployment, which is defined in law as a period of four days of unemployment in seven consecutive days. A person working five days per week would not satisfy this condition and jobseeker’s allowance would not be payable.
The social welfare system provides a number of supports for people who are working part-time or who are in low income full-time employment and, given the particular set of circumstances outlined, the customer may have an entitlement to payment under the part-time job incentive (PTJI) scheme which supports long-term, fully unemployed people who receive an offer of employment which is less than 24 hours per week. The customer should raise the matter with his or her Intreo/Local office where all available options can be explored.
