Written answers

Tuesday, 16 July 2013

Department of Social Protection

Social Welfare Code Issues

Photo of Kevin HumphreysKevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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660. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she has considered reducing the eligibility period for activation schemes such as community employment and JobBridge to nine months to bring it in line with the eligibility period for jobseekers benefit to ensure citizens do not fall through the 3 month gap; if she has any plans for resolving this issue for persons who are unemployed, have exhausted their nine months of jobseekers benefit but are not eligible for other assistance payments such as jobseekers assistance due to a partners income, and are left with a three month gap before they are eligible for community employment or Jobbridge therefore being left with little or no supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35496/13]

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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There are currently no plans to lower the standard qualifying period in receipt of CE-eligible payments from the current 12 month duration, as Community Employment is primarily aimed at long-term unemployed persons, which is generally defined as one year or more on the Live Register. Persons who claim Jobseekers Benefit from 3rd April 2013 can only claim for a maximum duration of 9 months provided they have 260 or more contributions (or 6 months if less than 260 contributions). Persons who exhaust their entitlement to Jobseekers Benefit can subsequently apply for Jobseekers Allowance, provided they meet the conditions for receipt of that payment. For the purposes of eligibility for Community Employment, a person can combine time spent in receipt of Jobseekers Benefit with time spent in receipt of another CE-eligible social welfare payment, such as Jobseekers Allowance, providing it makes up a continuous 12-month qualifying period and that the person is still currently in receipt of a qualifying payment immediately prior to commencing CE. Persons not eligible for other assistance payments due to a partner's income may, however, be eligible for participation on other programmes, although they may not qualify for payment of an allowance e.g. FÁS training courses. Such persons are advised to contact their local Employment Services Office or Intreo office (where available) where an Employment Services Officer will be happy to discuss the employment and training options that are open to them.

In relation to JobBridge, the National Internship Scheme jobseekers that have a live claim and have been in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance/Jobseekers Benefit/One Parent Family Payment/Disability Allowance or signing for Social Insurance Contribution credits for at least 3 months (78 days) or more in the last 6 months are eligible to participate.

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