Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 May 2026
573. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Social Protection to outline the process for primary and secondary school teachers with temporary/substitute contracts to apply for jobseeker's benefit during the holiday periods where they do not receive payment from the Department of Education and Youth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32959/26]
View answerEducational Sector Workers (ESWs) including primary and secondary school teachers with temporary/substitute contracts who wish to avail of income support while temporarily laid-off during the school breaks can apply for a jobseeker’s payment. They must satisfy all the qualifying conditions to receive a payment, including being available for full-time work and genuinely seeking work.
The quickest and easiest way to apply for a jobseeker’s payment is online through MyWelfare using a verified MyGovID account. A person can set up a verified MyGovID account once they have a Public Services Card, a verified mobile phone number and an email address.
My department has recently introduced improvements to the application process for people who are temporarily laid off and whose employment is based around the school or academic year. These enhancements include a new online application process for ESWs to submit their jobseeker's claim through MyWelfare.ie.
ESWs can now self-declare the number of holiday days they will receive from their employer for the school break, directly as part of their online jobseeker’s application, without the need to have forms completed by their employer. The removal of the employer form from the process allows for decisions to be made in a more efficient and timely manner.
If a person is unsure of the number of holidays they will receive, they can ask their employer to complete the new Holiday Entitlement Helpsheet. This new form assists both the person and their employer to work out the number of holiday days the person will receive, and there is no need to submit this form with Jobseeker’s Benefit applications.
Alternatively, if a person does not wish to apply for a jobseeker’s payment online they can complete the new ESW 1 application form. This form has also been improved to ensure claims can be dealt with as quickly as possible.
It should be noted that a claim for a jobseeker's payment should only be made on the first date that a person becomes unemployed. In addition, an application for jobseeker's should be made at each break and a person should not apply for multiple breaks at the same time.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
