Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 23 October 2019
220. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if transition from employment to unemployment payment and vice versa can be simplified with a view to eliminating possible hardship. [43848/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe jobseekers schemes provide income support for people who have lost work and are unable to find alternative full-time employment. Support is available under the jobseekers benefit scheme which is based on a person's PRSI contribution. People without sufficient contributions may be eligible for the means tested jobseekers allowance payment, depending on their circumstances. These schemes are designed to be flexible in order to include a wide range of employment situations as long as the condition of being fully unemployed for at least four in any seven consecutive days is satisfied.
The 2020 revised estimates for my Department provide for expenditure next year on the jobseekers schemes of almost €2 billion, which includes €13.7 million for the jobseekers benefit for self-employed people which is a new support being introduced from this November. This scheme will provide a safety net not currently available to people setting up business.
My Department also assists jobseekers through the activation process. A case officer is assigned to help a newly unemployed jobseeker find and secure a sustainable job. The case officer develops a personal progression tailored to the individual’s needs, which may include availing of further education and training opportunities.
If the jobseeker does not find employment through this process, additional offers are provided for through further education and training programmes or in existing community-based employment programmes / workplace-based interventions such as Community Employment and Tús; or in subsidies to employers, through JobsPlus. Long-term unemployed jobseekers are also referred to JobPath, a contracted, payment-by-results employment service that provides additional resources and case managed supports. Targeted supports are available for young people including the Youth Employment Support Scheme.
My Department continues to review its activation programmes to make sure that they remain aligned to labour market needs. The Pathways to Work strategy for 2020-2024, will complement the ambitions of Future Jobs Ireland, with a particular focus on increasing participation levels among under-represented groups and those most distant from the labour market, ensuring that all jobseekers have the opportunity to compete for available jobs. This assistance, along with the flexibility of the jobseekers schemes, provide that jobseekers can transition from employment to unemployment as smoothly as possible and that they will return to work quickly. In the case where a person has returned to work, they may be eligible for Supplementary Welfare Allowance for a period while they are waiting payment of wages.
I would advise the Deputy that any person experiencing hardship in the transition from employment to unemployment or vice versa to contact their local Intreo centre for advice.
