Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 September 2025
104. Deputy Seán Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to remove inconsistencies and anomalies in the current jobseeker's allowance scheme which discourage people from taking up employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50698/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with the Programme for Government commitment, my Department is examining a new Working Age Payment.
The Programme for Government commits that the Working Age Payment will ensure that individuals will always see an increase in income when they work or take on additional hours. It will do this by addressing inconsistencies and anomalies in the current Jobseeker's Allowance Scheme which may discourage people from taking up employment.
A proposed Working Age Payment model would change the basis for payment, moving away from a ‘days of work’ approach to an income-based approach.
My officials are currently exploring potential models for a new Working Age Payment. It is intended to publish proposals for consultation later in the year.
In the meantime, there are a number of arrangements in place to incentivise and encourage people in receipt of the Jobseeker's Allowance scheme to take up work or to engage in training and development programmes to prepare for work. These include a disregard of €20 earnings per day for up to three days of employment, support under the Back to Work Family Dividend scheme which provides for the retention of the Child Support payments for up to two-years on taking up employment and the continued payment of welfare where a person returns to education and training or moves into self-employment.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
