Sections 17 and 18 provide for the payment of reduced rates of jobseeker's allowance and supplementary welfare allowance in certain circumstances, as outlined above. I will introduce an amendment on Committee Stage to provide that the reduced rates will also apply to jobseeker's benefit where the person refuses to participate in an appropriate course of training or to participate in a programme under the national employment action plan. I also provide for a specific disqualification for receipt of jobseeker's benefit where a person refuses an offer of suitable employment. This mirrors the provision in Section 17 on entitlement to jobseeker's allowance. I am also providing a specific disqualification for receipt of jobseeker's benefit where the person is attending a full-time day course of study. This mirrors an existing disqualification for receipt of jobseeker's allowance where a person is attending a full-time day course of study.

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