Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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384. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the extent to which a longer-term payment might be made available to applicants who ordinarily would qualify for benefit payments, but due to inadequate contributions can only qualify for a basic social welfare payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46739/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The social welfare system is a State financial support for people who need assistance to cover a range of contingencies that may arise including unemployment, illness, etc.

Entitlement to social welfare benefit payments are contingent on a person's PRSI contributions. Where a person does not qualify for a benefit payment, they may be eligible for a means tested payment to cover the specific contingency. For example, if a person has no entitlement to Jobseeker’s Benefit, they may be eligible for support under the means-tested Jobseeker’s Allowance scheme.

If the Deputy has a particular case, he should forward for the details to the Department to assess the options that may be available.