Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 243: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if persons can do voluntary work while on jobseeker's allowance or would this constitute not being available for work; if that is the case, if she will consider reviewing the situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12279/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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A jobseeker may engage in voluntary work within the State without affecting their jobseekers entitlement provided they continue to satisfy the statutory conditions of being available for and genuinely seeking work. The aims of the Voluntary Work Option are twofold, namely:

i) to encourage voluntary organisations to involve jobseekers to the greatest extent possible in their activities by creating new opportunities for voluntary work; and

ii) to inform jobseekers of their freedom to involve themselves in voluntary work

and to encourage them to do so.

Examples of voluntary work in which jobseekers may engage include helping the sick, elderly or persons with a disability or assisting youth clubs, church groups, sports groups, cultural organisations and local resident associations. These arrangements have been put in place in recognition of the long tradition of volunteering in this country and the contribution that volunteering makes to Ireland's social fabric.

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 244: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will examine the current situation where students must turn down offers of unpaid work experience in order to qualify for jobseeker's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12280/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Social welfare legislation provides that a person must satisfy the conditions of being available for and genuinely seeking work in order to be entitled to jobseeker's benefit or jobseeker's allowance. Any person who fails to satisfy these conditions is not entitled to a jobseeker's payment. A student undergoing a full-time course of study, instruction or training is disqualified for receiving jobseekers allowance or benefit. This disqualification also extends to the holiday periods, including the summer holidays. The disqualification for receipt of jobseeker's benefit or allowance does not apply in the case of mature students during the period between two academic years. During this period a mature student can apply for jobseeker's benefit or allowance, subject to satisfying the standard qualifying conditions, including that of being available for full-time work. The are no plans to change these aspects of the jobseeker's schemes.

It may be noted that Jobbridge, the national internship scheme was established to provide people with valuable work experience. The aim of the national internship scheme is to assist in breaking the cycle where jobseekers are unable to get a job without experience, either as new entrants to the labour market after education or training or as unemployed workers wishing to learn new skills. The scheme also gives people a real opportunity to gain valuable experience to bridge the gap between study and the beginning of their working lives.

Additionally, my Department encourages people to engage in voluntary work within the State. Any person who engages in voluntary work may continue to be entitled to Jobseekers Benefit or Allowance provided that, in engaging in the voluntary work, the customer continues to satisfy the statutory conditions of being available for and genuinely seeking work. Examples of voluntary work in which jobseekers may engage include:

helping the sick, elderly or persons with a disability

assisting youth clubs, church groups, sports groups, cultural organisations, local resident associations

The groups involved may be nationally organised groups or local voluntary or community groups. The aim of the Voluntary Work Option is twofold, namely – to encourage voluntary organisations to involve jobseekers to the greatest extent possible in their existing activities by creating new opportunities for voluntary work and to inform jobseekers of their freedom to involve themselves in voluntary work and to encourage them to do so. In addition, the existing Community Employment Scheme, operated by FÁS, offers the opportunity to unemployed persons to participate in paid employment in the social economy.