Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 June 2026
342. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a teacher (details supplied) out of contract is exempt from claiming the job seekers pay related benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46468/26]
View answerThe purpose of the Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit scheme is to ensure that those who experience a permanent loss of employment are better supported to meet the unexpected income shock.
The legislation provides that people who work on a part-time, casual or seasonal basis, including those whose employment involves a recurring pattern of employment and unemployment reflecting the academic year are not eligible for Jobseeker's Pay-Related Benefit. These workers have a predictable or ongoing pattern of work and do not the experience the unexpected income shock from a sudden and unexpected loss of employment. The conditions for the Jobseeker's Pay-Related Benefit scheme are not designed to provide in-work support on a recurring and intermittent basis.
Teachers who are out contract and are seeking to return to employment can claim the PRSI-based Jobseeker's Benefit or the means-tested Jobseeker's Allowance.
According to my Department’s records, the person concerned applied for Jobseeker’s Benefit on 2 June 2026. One of the qualifying conditions for Jobseeker's Benefit is that a person must have paid at least 104 PRSI insurable employment contributions at Class A, H or P, or have paid at least 156 PRSI self-employment contributions at Class S and must have 39 PRSI contributions paid from employment in the governing contribution year. At least 13 of these contributions must be paid from employment in the governing contribution year, the two years before this, the last year, or the current tax year. If a person does not have 39 paid PRSI contributions in the governing contribution year, they must have 26 PRSI contributions paid in the governing contribution year and 26 paid in the year immediately before this. The governing contribution year is 2024 for claims made in 2026. The application from the person concerned was disallowed as she did not have the PRSI contributions required.
The person concerned opted not to be assessed for Jobseeker’s Allowance. She submitted an application for Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit on 12 June 2026 which is currently being processed by my Department. She will be advised of the outcome in due course.
Credited contributions (credits) are social insurance contributions designed to protect the social insurance entitlement record of insured workers who are not in a position to make PRSI contributions in circumstances such as unemployment or illness. The local Intreo Centre has advised the person concerned to sign for credits in order to protect her future social insurance entitlements.
A person experiencing financial difficulty may have an entitlement to an Additional Needs Payment from my Department to help meet essential expenditure which an eligible person could not reasonably be expected to meet from their weekly income.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
