Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 May 2026
567. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of people who have been in receipt of jobseeker's allowance or jobseeker's benefit continuously since December 2019; the ages and geographical locations of these recipients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32228/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Labour Force Survey is the official measure of employment and unemployment in the State. Ireland's long-term unemployment rate in 2025 as measured by the Labour Force Survey stood at 1.1%. This compares favourably to the EU average of 1.9%, and the Eurozone average of 2.1%*.
To the week ending the 26th of April 2026, there were 1,483 individuals who have been in continuous receipt of Jobseeker's Allowance since December 2019. These figures represent uninterrupted receipt of the payment, without any suspensions on the claim. The tables below detail the ages and geographic distribution of these recipients.
Table 1. Age breakdown
|
Age |
Count of Recipients |
|
Under 25 |
0 |
|
25-29 |
66 |
|
30-39 |
325 |
|
40-49 |
443 |
|
50-59 |
423 |
|
60 + |
226 |
Table 2. County breakdown
|
County |
Number of Recipients |
|
Carlow |
26 |
|
Cavan |
28 |
|
Clare |
33 |
|
Cork |
67 |
|
Donegal |
84 |
|
Dublin |
424 |
|
Galway |
66 |
|
Kerry |
28 |
|
Kildare |
37 |
|
Kilkenny |
26 |
|
Laois |
33 |
|
Leitrim |
16 |
|
Limerick |
56 |
|
Longford |
49 |
|
Louth |
90 |
|
Mayo |
74 |
|
Meath |
32 |
|
Monaghan |
18 |
|
Offaly |
30 |
|
Roscommon |
26 |
|
Sligo |
27 |
|
Tipperary |
39 |
|
Waterford |
61 |
|
Westmeath |
32 |
|
Wexford |
53 |
|
Wicklow |
28 |
* Eurostat data: sdg_08_40. Eurostat data as of 29/04/2026.
