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

I do not propose to accept the amendments. They relate to the new section 68I which concerns activation measures, claimants and jobseeker's benefit for the newly self-employed scheme. The measures relating to amendments Nos. 2 and 7 are precisely the same measures that apply to both jobseeker's allowance and jobseeker's benefit for the employment cohorts.They are an integral part of the activation process. Claimants are required to attend meetings for the purposes of providing them with information intended to improve their outcomes.and their knowledge of the opportunities for work, education and training available to them. The meetings also allow for an assessment to be carried out to help officers determine claimants' education, training or development needs so they can be directed to the right place to get the type of job they wish to after they avail of the opportunities offered. The meetings also provide an opportunity to address the supports the people themselves identify as necessary with regard to education, training or development needs, which they may wish to be included in their plans. The legislation also includes the safeguard that any opportunity identified must be appropriate to people's needs and the circumstances in which they find themselves.

The section also provides for the penalty rates that can be applied to payments. These only apply in cases where a person does not adhere to the requirements of the current jobseeker's scheme. We are mapping all of the opportunities and supports available under the jobseeker's benefit and jobseeker's allowance schemes for the employed to the self-employed cohort who do not avail of them today. These measures are straightforward and reasonable and they are consistent with the existing jobseeker's benefit and jobseeker's allowance schemes.