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Social Welfare Eligibility

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 November 2021

Tuesday, 2 November 2021

Ceisteanna (625)

Mick Barry

Ceist:

625. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason persons under 25 years of age who are living independently and are in emergency homeless accommodation are not entitled to the full rate of jobseeker's payments; if a commitment will be given to treat these cohorts in the same way as those who are in receipt of HAP or RAS; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53402/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Age related reduced rates for young Jobseekers allowance recipients were introduced in 2009 in line with other EU and OECD jurisdictions, to address the issue of high youth unemployment by incentivising them to participate in employment, education and training programmes. The rate of payment is €112.70 per week for young jobseekers aged between 18 and 24 year olds; however it increases to the maximum personal rate of €203 if they participate on an education or training programme. Furthermore, if they participate on the new Work Placement Experience Programme, their weekly rate is increased to €306.

In Budget 2022 I secured an increase of €5 per week in the core weekly social welfare payments which means that the weekly rate of payment for those young jobseekers on a reduced rate will increase to €117.70 from 3 January 2022. The weekly rate of WPEP will also increase to €311.

Reduced rates do not apply to Jobseekers under 25 years of age who have qualified children or those who were in care of the HSE immediately before they turned 18.

A person aged between 18 and 24 is also entitled to an exemption from the reduced rates if they are living independently of the family home and are in receipt of state housing supports. They must be in receipt of either rent supplement, housing assistance payment (HAP), Rent Accommodation Scheme (RAS), local authority housing or living permanently in accommodation provided by a local authority approved housing body to qualify for an exemption from the reduced rates. This exemption was introduced in Budget 2020 in recognition that the residual income of young people on age-related reduced rates after paying the minimum contribution payments on Rent Supplement, HAP and Local Authority Differential Rent was significantly lower than those aged 25 and over on other social assistance payments. The measure seeks to enable those young jobseekers in receipt of the specified State housing supports to retain their independent living by avoiding hardship and a loss of tenancy.

My Department engages in inter-agency responses to homelessness through its engagement with Tusla, the HSE and non-Government organisations to provide the necessary support to all vulnerable people including young people who are experiencing homelessness or are in insecure situations.

Young people in these circumstances should contact the Community Welfare Service in the local Intreo centre where they can access support under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme which may include supplements, depending on the specific circumstances involved.

I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy at this time.

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