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Jobseeker's Payments

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 July 2020

Thursday, 30 July 2020

Ceisteanna (857)

Claire Kerrane

Ceist:

857. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons aged 18 to 24 years of age in receipt of the reduced rate of jobseeker’s payment; the number of persons aged 18 to 24 years of age that live independently and therefore receive the maximum rate; the number of persons in receipt of a jobseeker’s payment; and the number of 65 year olds that receive jobseeker’s allowance and jobseeker’s benefit. [20226/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

A reduced rate generally applies for younger jobseeker’s allowance recipients aged 18-24 for the purpose of providing a strong financial incentive to participate in education or training to improve their chances of obtaining sustainable full time employment. Currently the weekly personal rate for jobseeker’s allowance recipients aged 18-24 years is €112.70. 

Reduced rates do not apply to all young people under 25, such as those with a qualified child and those who were in the care of the Child and Family Agency, or TUSLA, during the 12 months before they reached 18.  Reduced rates do not apply to young jobseekers who are living independently and are in receipt of State housing supports. Further, if a young jobseeker participates in education or training they will receive the maximum personal rate which is €203 per week.

For this reason I am advised that it is not possible to identify current recipients receiving the personal rate of €203 per week solely due to living independently and receipt of a housing support.  Breakdowns of the number of young jobseekers at the end of June 2020 are provided in Table 1.

Table 2 provides details on total recipient numbers and on those aged over 65 in receipt of Jobseeker's Allowance and Jobseeker's Benefit at the end of June 2020.  

Tabular statements attached

Table 1: Recipients of Jobseeker’s Allowance and Jobseeker’s Benefit aged 18 to 24 years at the end of June 2020

No.

Jobseeker’s Allowance Full Rate recipients aged 18 to 24

2,247

Jobseeker’s Allowance Reduced Rate recipients aged 18 to 24

15,429

Jobseeker’s Allowance total recipients aged 18 to 24

17,676

Jobseeker’s Benefit Full Rate recipients aged 18 to 24

2,058

Jobseeker’s Benefit Reduced Rate recipients aged 18 to 24

1,909

Jobseeker’s Benefit total recipients aged 18 to 24

3,967

Table 2: Total number of Jobseeker’s in receipt of a payment and those aged over 65.

No.

Total number of Jobseeker’s Allowance recipients

139,317

Total number of Jobseeker’s Benefit recipients

38,356

Total

177,673

Jobseeker’s Allowance recipients aged over 65

2,209

Jobseeker’s Benefit recipients aged over 65

2,290

Total

4,499

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