Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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374. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of young persons under 25 years of age in receipt of jobseeker's benefit, jobseeker's allowance or signing on for credits for less than six months; for more than six months and less than 12 months; for more than 12 months and less than 24 months; for more than 24 months and less than 36 months; for more than 36 months and less than 48 months and those in receipt for more than 48 months and less than 60 months and those in receipt for more than 60 months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26037/14]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The information requested by the Deputy is detailed in the attached tabular statement. Number of Under 25 year Olds in receipt of Jobseeker’s Assistance, Jobseeker’s Benefit or signing for Credits at 31 May 2014

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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381. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of social welfare recipients who have been subject to a penalty rate in each of the following years, 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; the number of social welfare recipients aged 18-25 years who have been subject to a penalty rate in each of the following years, 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26046/14]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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382. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reasons social welfare recipients have been subject to a penalty rate in each of the following years, 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26047/14]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 381 and 382 together.

Legislation provides that sanctions/penalties in the form of reduced payments may be imposed by a Deciding Officer where recipients of jobseeker payments fail, without good cause, to comply with activation measures. Activation measures include the requirement to attend group or individual meetings, and/or avail of suitable education, training or development opportunities, or specified employment programmes, which are considered appropriate to a person’s circumstances.

Total numbers of penalty rates applied by year, to end May 2014, are indicated in the table below, including a breakdown for jobseekers aged 18-25 years. Penalty rate figures given previously have been revised based on a more accurate and complete database which has been compiled.

Penalty rates started in the year by age at start of period