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

The current model is working in increasing lone-parent participation rates and therefore reducing poverty. The report I referred to, the ESRI report of 2022, points out that when people engage, they have better outcomes. The Department adopts a reasonable approach to reducing jobseeker rates. People are informed twice. If they have a reasonable reason as to why they cannot engage – childcare requirements comprise one – it is considered. Once people engage, that is basically it. If people engage, we want to work with them, help them and support them. If we can get them back into work, there are usually much better outcomes in the long term.

Regarding the pay-related benefit, both adults can claim any social welfare assistance payment in their own right and they do not need to be qualified adults. The jobseeker's allowance remains an option for a small number of larger households. If you would be better off on the jobseeker's allowance, you have that option. Ireland is one of the few countries where pay-related benefit is not in place. The changes will kick in from the end of March 2025.