Minister Joe McHugh has said he has received reassurances over confusion surrounding seasonal and part-time workers.
Deputy McHugh asked the Minister for Social Protection Leo Varadkar TD, to examine the conditions for receipt of Jobseeker’s Benefit to apply to all recipients, including those who could be categorised as seasonal and part-time workers.
He said “Minister Leo Varadkar has asked his officials to examine the issue of jobseeker’s benefit and the treatment of part-time and seasonal workers including those who are categorised as having subsidiary employment, and he has informed me that they will continue to work closely with the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection on this matter.”
To qualify for Jobseeker’s Benefit you must be unemployed, be available for and genuinely seeking work, have had a substantial loss of employment and as a result be unemployed for at least 4 days out of 7.
The jobseeker’s benefit scheme provides significant support to individuals who can work up to 3 days a week and receive a jobseekers payment.
Jobseeker’s benefit is paid in respect of a day’s unemployment. Where a claimant has less than 260 PRSI contributions paid they are entitled to six months or 156 days of jobseeker’s benefit. If they work 3 days a week they are paid jobseeker’s benefit for 3 days a week. This means they can be paid jobseeker’s benefit for three days a week for up to 52 weeks.
Where a claimant has more than 260 PRSI contributions paid they are entitled to nine months or 234 days jobseeker’s benefit. If they work 3 days a week they are paid jobseeker’s benefit for 3 days a week. This means they can be paid jobseeker’s benefit for three days a week for up to 18 months.
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