Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Some 80% of people on jobseeker's benefit receive the full rate of €203. This amount will increase to €208 in January following the budget changes.

The position is clear, in that, if someone has been working a sufficient number of hours and has the required number of PRSI contributions, he or she will get the full payment rate. If anyone is on a reduced rate, it is because he or she was working a limited amount beforehand, meaning that he or she had not built up the requisite PRSI record. For example, he or she could have been a part-time worker who only worked one night per week.

We do not want to distort the labour market. If we paid people more through jobseeker's benefit than they got while they were working, there would be no incentive to go to work. We must balance the two. Work has to pay. Anyone who is on a reduced rate of jobseeker's benefit can apply for the means-tested jobseeker's allowance, the floor of which is €208. It might be more favourable for some people.

See this speech in context