Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)

With regard to the first part of his question the relevant legislation came into force in January 2011. However, for operational reasons the application of the provisions commenced in April 2011. I understand that currently a very small number of claimants are subject to the provisions. The number of people who have been affected so far amounts to seven. I remind the Deputy that people are made reasonable offers with regard to a placement, training or education or engagement with the process. The Department is seeking to assist people to become active in a sphere of appropriate interest to them. In the case of a person who fails to engage or to respond, the claimant's personal rate for the jobseeker's allowance will reduced from the full rate of €188. The Act made provision for the rate to be reduced by €44 and in the case of supplementary welfare allowance by €42.

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