Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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120. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will outline the meaning of the term systematic in terms of jobseeker's allowance claims; if persons involved in casual working hours are classed as systematic; if casually employed persons should avail of tax-free social welfare payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11351/14]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Systematic short-time employment means employment in which, on a temporary basis, the number of days is systematically worked in a working week is less than the number of days normally worked by the person in a working week in the employment concerned.

Short-time working must also be systematic, i.e. there must be a clear repetitive pattern of employment with the employer each week, e.g. 1, 2 or 3 days per week every week or 2 days in the first week and 3 days in the second week, with this pattern repeated every two weeks.

Persons in part-time or casual work are not classified as systematic short-time workers.

Jobseeker’s benefit received as a systematic short-time worker is disregarded for tax purposes. Any further proposal in relation to taxation policy is a matter for the Revenue Commissioners.