Ms Jackie Harrington:

On the other questions, someone who becomes unemployed and is on illness benefit, under the current circumstances they are eligible and can qualify for jobseeker's benefit through what we call a process of linking claims. We will make provision for people as well under pay-related benefits and under head 7, we provide for the conditions of the scheme, which is head 7. This allows the Minister to amend the contribution conditions that I outlined earlier. A person coming from illness benefit or maternity benefit could not meet that condition of six months in the previous ten months and, therefore, we will make provision for those individuals within the regulations. They will absolutely be covered and be eligible for pay-related benefits, in the same way as they are at the moment, to get jobseeker's benefit.

The Deputy asked for the numbers of people who got the maximum rate in terms of the analysis we did. I do not have that figure to hand. If I get it before the end of the session ,I will come back to him and if not I will advise the committee. A significant number qualify for the higher rate of payment based on the analysis of data of recipients that we undertook. As the Cathaoirleach outlined, the rate of payment to quality for the maximum rate is €750, which is actually 20% lower than the average earnings figure. Average earnings at this point in time is €910 so at the €750 rate, a significant proportion of people qualified for the maximum rate. If I do not have the figure before the end of the session, I will forward it to the committee.

As for activation, the experience of the Department is that individuals on jobseeker's benefit absolutely want to work and they do go back to work. This is demonstrated by the fact that the average duration on jobseeker's benefit is only 13 weeks or so and also that 70% of people are gone from jobseeker's benefit at six months. The reality is that individuals on pay-related benefits will find work and will move off social welfare because that is not where they want to be. The online service, digital pathways to work, for example, will be an important tool to support these individuals who are very much anxious to get back to work. That is supported by research that has been carried out that shows people do go back to work. Research carried out some time back and referenced by the ESRI found that nine out of ten people who are on replacement rates do actually work.

That was also evidenced with regard to the PUP. People went back to work and went back to work very quickly. The high earners went back very quickly. We also had evidence of people who went at higher replacement rates of up 100% and returned to work very quickly.

Regarding the Deputy's question about people who are made short-time workers by their employers, it involves where an individual is employed by their company and then put on a two or three-day working week. They are covered under the existing jobseeker's benefit scheme under short-term work support. This legislation for the pay-related benefit is being done in such a way that it will be able to support part-time work. It is flexible enough to be able to provide that. This is something we are working through and considering. We will also work with the Department of Finance because there is a pathways to work commitment regarding this group of this individuals in terms of assessing the best approach we should take. Should we pay them through a social welfare payment or through the employer along the employee wage subsidy scheme that was done during Covid? There is work to be done in that area examining those groups specifically. As I said, the heads of Bill are flexible enough that they will, should that position be approved. My colleague, Mr. Brian Duff, will answer the Deputy's questions about the Social Insurance Fund.