Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There are retained firefighters in my neck of the woods, which is not usual for people who live in cities. I am well aware that retained firefighters provide services which are vital to the communities they serve. They are very well respected. We may engage in a cat-and-mouse exchange. I am not aware of any specific difficulties with retained firefighters with regard to INTREO or JobPath.

Retained firefighters who are otherwise unemployed are entitled to a jobseeker's payment in respect of the days that they are engaged in firefighting and-or training, subject to the usual qualification conditions pertaining to means or social insurance contributions. They are also required to satisfy the statutory conditions to receive jobseeker's payments of being available for the days they are not training or on call and genuinely seeking full-time work.

Taking into account the unusual circumstances of retained fire personnel, the Social Welfare and Pensions (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2013 included amendments to jobseeker's benefit and allowance which put the treatment of retained firefighters on a legislative basis. We did not make individual exceptions for them; the rules are now on a statutory footing. The amendments were introduced with particular regard to the vital service provided by these men and women, in particular in rural communities where, as I said, fire safety is exclusively provided by retained firefighters.

The legislation now provides that when a retained firefighter is on call, this does not result in the disallowance of a jobseeker's payment on the grounds of being available for work because he or she is available. However, all retained firefighters in receipt of a jobseeker's payment must engage with the Department's various activation units, including those delivered by the Deputy's favourite organisation, JobPath. During the course of the engagement between the case officer and the jobseeker, all possible pro-employment incentives are explored and discussed with jobseekers. Retained firefighters referred to activation services have every opportunity during the course of those meetings with their personal advisor to schedule around their firefighting, training and on-call duties. I can guarantee that the case officer should be as flexible as he or she possibly can and need to be in regard to dealing retained firefighters.

Activation is intended to be a positive experience. If the Deputy is aware of any difficulties I would be very grateful if he told me about them.

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