Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)

I am always open to considering the Deputy's suggestions. We will be reviewing the jobseeker’s pay-related benefit after a year of operation. This is the first time in more than 40 years we have had such a benefit. In connection with other questions that have arisen, it will provide the foundation for other potential pay-related benefits.

If there are relevant cases, the Deputy should bring them to my attention. We are proactively engaging with those we know have a particular pattern of employment at this time of the year, particularly in the academic sector. More than 8,000 people have been contacted in the past several weeks. If there are any cases, I would like to hear about them before September so we do not have any delays in people getting their income payments.

As of now, I have no plans to review the scheme but I will certainly be happy to have a discussion with the Deputy in the context of the overall review, which will take place after a year.

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