Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 369: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications for jobseeker's allowance and unemployment assistance received by him in each of the past five years to date in 2011; the numbers approved; the numbers rejected; the degree if any to which the qualification guidelines changed during that period to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3814/11]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The statistical information requested by the Deputy is set out in the tabular statement.

In September 2007, the means assessment for insurable employment was changed. The assessable income is the gross earnings less deductions for PRSI, superannuation (including AVCs and PRSAs), the pension levy and union dues. The new means assessment is based on a family rate which is comprised of a personal rate, a full increase in respect of a qualified adult and a full increase in respect of each qualified child less full means. In determining the rate to be paid to a customer, a full increase for a qualified adult is payable regardless of the amount of gross weekly income generated by the spouse/civil partner/cohabitant. The insurable earnings of the claimant and his/her spouse/civil partner/cohabitant are assessed in the same manner. A disregard of €20 per day applies to earnings from each day of employment up to a maximum of three days. The balance is assessable at 60%.

From 30th April 2008, the means assessment for benefit and privilege customers was changed. The means assessment is now based on the net income of the parents. The net income includes the income from all sources including Department of Social Protection payments (with some exceptions) less deductions. When the net income of the family is calculated, a disregard of €600 applies for a two parent family and €470 for a one parent family. 34% of the balance is assessed as means.

Table:- Jobseekers Allowance Claims 2006-2010