Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 June 2020
1069. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an extension will be given to those in receipt of jobseeker's benefit before Covid-19 restrictions were introduced in view of the fact that there were limited opportunities to secure work during this period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8492/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe main income supports, excluding the emergency time-limited Pandemic Unemployment Payment, offered by my Department for people who have lost employment are the social insurance contribution based jobseekers benefit and means tested jobseekers allowance schemes.
Jobseekers benefit is a statutory scheme which is paid for 9 months (234 days) for people with 260 or more PRSI contributions paid and is paid for 6 months (156 days) for people with fewer than 260 PRSI contributions paid. Where a person exhausts their claim for jobseekers benefit or they do not meet the contribution requirement they may apply for means-tested jobseekers allowance.
Any adjustments to the duration of jobseekers benefit would have to be considered in the overall policy and budgetary context. I trust that this clarifies the position.
