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Jobseeker's Payments

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 April 2021

Wednesday, 28 April 2021

Ceisteanna (650)

Bríd Smith

Ceist:

650. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the conditions under which a person receiving a jobseeker’s payment can be referred to a JobPath provider; if they must be deemed to be long-term unemployed; the definition used for long-term unemployed; if a person in receipt of jobseeker’s benefit can be referred to a JobPath provider; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21565/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

All jobseekers, including those who are working part time and in receipt of a jobseeker's payment from my Department, are required to be genuinely seeking and available for full time employment and to engage with my Department's employment services. 

JobPath is an employment assistance and advice service that supports and assists people who are long-term unemployed, including those working part time, to secure and sustain full-time paid employment.  All jobseekers over one year on the Live Register are eligible for selection to one of the contracted public employment services, including the JobPath employment service.  Selection for referral to the JobPath employment service is by means of random selection. 

Long-term jobseekers that may have left the Live Register for employment, which lasts less than a year, are considered to have a linked claim if they reopen their jobseeker's claim and are considered long-term unemployed.  They may retain certain entitlements (for example no waiting days and other additional benefits such as Fuel Allowance) and are available for selection for referral to contracted public employment service providers.  

Customers who have not been in full-time employment but are returning to a jobseeker’s payment from departmental employment schemes, for example community employment and TÚS, are also eligible for selection for JobPath. This includes customers who are in receipt of Jobseeker's Benefit. 

Customers who are working part-time and in receipt of a jobseeker's payment, including Jobseeker's Benefit, may be selected for JobPath if the duration of that payment is over 365 days. Jobseekers referred to JobPath who are also working part-time will have all activities including meetings with their personal advisor scheduled around their work commitments and the service will be delivered in a flexible manner in that respect.   

I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.

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