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______________________________________________
For Oral Answer on : 24/09/2024
Question Number(s): 38 Question Reference(s): 37686/24
Department: Social Protection
Asked by: David Stanton T.D.
______________________________________________

QUESTION

To ask the Minister for Social Protection to list the number of recipients of jobseeker’s allowance, or jobseeker’s benefit, who had their payment withdrawn in each respective year from 2021 to 2023, and to date in 2024, as a result of the fact that they were not able to show that they are actively seeking work, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

 

REPLY

 

In order to be eligible for a Jobseekers’s payment a person must satisfy all conditions including the requirement to genuinely seek employment.  To satisfy this condition, it is necessary for the person to demonstrate that they have taken some positive action and are making genuine efforts to secure employment.

All schemes operated by my Department are subject to ongoing control reviews and continuing eligibility checks.  The total number of Jobseekers control reviews carried out over the years requested are approximately: 2021 (63,000), 2022 (70,000), 2023 (94,500), to end of July 2024 (76,500).

While in receipt of a Jobseeker’s payment, engagement with Intreo Employment Service is mandatory.  Intreo Employment Service provide streamlined, practical, and tailored supports for all jobseekers.  A person must work with an Employment Personal Advisor to agree a Personal Progression Plan suitable to their circumstances.  This Plan will detail actions the jobseeker should take to become job ready, it may also specify training, work experience or employment schemes that are considered appropriate for their development.  Payment reductions can be applied if a jobseeker, without good cause, fails to engage with Employment Services or refuses an offer of employment, training or specified employment programme which is considered appropriate to their circumstances.  The jobseeker can ultimately be disqualified from their Jobseeker’s payment for up to 9 weeks and their ongoing eligibility to the payment will be reviewed.

The table below outlines the number of reduced rates applied to jobseekers in the relevant years.  Please note that the 2021 figures are not available due to the impact of the pandemic on the activation programme.

 

 

 

 

 

Year Penalty Rates
2022 1,136
2023 5,235
2024 to August 7,294

 
My Department also engages with employers to advise them of the various supports and services provided to employ jobseekers.  This can include providing employers with a bespoke recruitment service to fill job vacancies, where priority is given to jobseekers on the live register.  JobsIreland.ie, the Department’s recruitment website, is available to both employers and Jobseekers and allows employers to post and promote job vacancies.  The Department’s officers actively engage with employers who are facing difficulties filling vacancies at present and match employer vacancies to Jobseekers.  The Department proactively engages with Jobseekers when employers advise that they have refused an offer of employment.  Employers who wish to advise that a jobseeker has refused an offer of employment can contact their local Intreo Centre where an Employer Relations Officer will follow up with them.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.