Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 November 2025
399. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection if fire fighters with the Dublin Fire Brigade with a preserved pension age of 55 are entitled to the same benefit payment that 65 year-olds are entitled to on retirement; if this benefit is the same or equivalent to the pay related job seeker’s benefit; the length of time this is paid without means testing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66841/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Benefit Payment for 65-Year-Olds, provided for under the Jobseeker’s Benefit scheme, was introduced in line with the Programme for Government commitment to address the position of people who are required to or choose to retire at age 65 before the State pension age of 66. The payment is designed to bridge the gap for people who retire from employment or self-employment at age 65 until they qualify for the State Pension at age 66. To be eligible for the payment a person must satisfy the qualifying conditions of the scheme including the PRSI social insurance contribution requirements, which demonstrates a recent attachment to the workforce.
Jobseeker’s Benefit Payment for 65-Year-Olds is a PRSI-based insurance, it is not means tested and may be paid for one year from the date of the person’s 65th birthday until the date of person’s 66th birthday, as long as they continue to satisfy the conditions for this payment. It is paid at the standard jobseeker's rate and is not pay-related.
Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit is an income support for a person who becomes unemployed and is directly linked to their previous earnings. It is paid for a maximum of 6 months or 9 months depending on the amount of qualifying social insurance contributions paid. It is a different scheme to Jobseeker’s Benefit Payment for 65-Years-Old due to the differing contingency it is designed for, specifically loss of employment rather than retirement at age 65.
I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
