Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 July 2023
447. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full year cost of increasing the jobseeker’s transitional payment scheme age cut-off by one year to 15 years of age. [33825/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Jobseeker’s Transitional Payment provides income support to lone parents whose youngest child is aged 7 to 13 years, inclusive. When their youngest child turns 14, a person may be eligible for Jobseeker’s Allowance payment.
The Working Family Payment is also available to lone parents who are working 38 or more hours per fortnight. That scheme is payable where a person has a child up to age 18 or age 22 if in full time education. Lone parents currently on Jobseeker’s Transitional Payment can transfer to Working Family Payment where they satisfy the hours worked requirement and the other scheme conditions.
A person who takes up or is in insurable employment or takes up self-employment within four weeks of the end of their Jobseeker's Transitional Payment claim can qualify for Back to Work Family Dividend which is payable over a two-year period. In year one, the rate of payment is based on the person's Qualified Child entitlement, subject to a maximum of four children, on the date of exit from their primary payment. Fifty per cent of that amount is payable in year two.
Working Family Payment and Back to Work Family Dividend can be paid concurrently.
I am advised that the cost of increasing the age limit for a qualified child for the Jobseeker's Transitional Payment (JST) until the youngest child reaches 15 is not possible to estimate in the time available. However, I have asked my officials to examine the matter further and revert to the Deputy directly.
In any event, extending the Jobseeker's Transitional Payment beyond the 14th birthday of a person’s youngest child would have the effect of delaying the interaction of affected customers with the Department’s Intreo services. The primary aim of the current system is to reduce long-term welfare dependency, and associated poverty, among lone parents, and to improve their access to education, training, and employment support services. Improved access to these services will enhance their skills-set and job-readiness, thereby assisting with their transition into the workforce, and with their subsequent attainment of financial independence.
For these reasons, I have no plans to change the position at this time.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
