Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 June 2021
353. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the fact that many of the aviation workers are coming to the end of their eligibility for short-time work support and many of whom will not qualify for other forms of jobseeker's allowances or payments; and if the short-term support can be extended. [34905/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra371. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the fact that many aviation workers are nearing the end of their entitlement to short-term working support and may not qualify for other supports; if she will consider extending eligibility for the scheme until the resumption of aviation travel under normal or near normal conditions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34909/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 353 and 371 together.
The Department’s main social welfare schemes for people who are unemployed are the social insurance contribution- based Jobseeker's Benefit and means tested Jobseeker's Allowance. Both schemes provide support to individuals, including workers in the aviation sector, so that they can work up to 3 days a week and still retain access to a reduced jobseeker’s payment.
Jobseeker's Benefit is paid for up to 9 months (or 234 days) for people with 260 or more PRSI contributions paid. It is paid for up to 6 months (or 156 days) for people with fewer than 260 PRSI contributions paid.
It is a fundamental feature of a range of the Department's benefit payments, including Jobseeker's Benefit, that the payment is time-limited. Time limits apply across a range of PRSI related schemes such as maternity benefit and illness benefit.
Where a person exhausts their entitlement to Jobseeker's Benefit, they may be eligible for support under the means-tested Jobseeker's Allowance scheme. The Department contacts the Jobseeker's Benefit recipient in advance of the expiry date of their claim to advise them that their entitlement is due to expire and that they can make an application for Jobseeker's Allowance, which is also included in the correspondence.
Jobseeker's Allowance has unlimited duration as long as a person meets the qualifying scheme conditions including the means test.
The wide ranging nature of the assistance available to those impacted by Covid-19, including the Employment Wage Subsidy scheme for employers, constitutes a comprehensive suite of supports and I do not intend to extend the duration of Jobseeker's Benefit at this time.
I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
