Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 September 2026
488. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications for jobseeker's allowance and jobseeker's benefit that were refused at first decision in each of the past ten calendar years; the number of those refusals that were subsequently revised or overturned on review or appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68102/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraJobseeker's Benefit and Jobseeker's Pay-Related Benefit are social insurance-based payments for unemployed people who satisfy the relevant contribution and eligibility conditions. Jobseeker's Allowance is a means-tested payment for unemployed people who satisfy the relevant qualifying conditions.
Appeals may arise for reasons other than the refusal of a claim, including decisions relating to the rate of payment awarded following a means assessment or the backdating of a claim. Consequently, not all appeals recorded relate to an initial refusal decision. Separate statistics on appeals by reason are not available.
In 2025, a total of 15,093 applications for Jobseeker's Allowance were refused at first decision, while 25,265 applications for Jobseeker's Benefit were refused. The Jobseeker's Benefit figure includes claims under Jobseeker's Pay-Related Benefit, Jobseeker's Benefit for the Self-Employed, Payment for 65-Year-Olds and Short-Time Work Support.
During 2025, there were 2,663 successful appeals and 5,885 unsuccessful appeals in respect of Jobseeker's Allowance. These appeal outcomes relate to appeals determined during the year and may include cases arising from decisions made in both 2025 and previous years.
In respect of Jobseeker's Benefit, there were 1,956 successful appeals and 3,213 unsuccessful appeals determined during 2025. As with Jobseeker's Allowance, these figures may include appeals relating to decisions made in earlier years.
Statistical information on the number of applications refused in previous years is published in the Department's Annual Statistical Reports, which are available through gov.ie/dsp/statistics. Information on successful and unsuccessful appeals is published in the Annual Reports of the Social Welfare Appeals Office, which are available at: www.gov.ie/en/social-welfare-appeals-office/collections/news-and-publications-from-the-social-welfare-appeals-office/.
