Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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159. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if a person who is 64 and has already received nine months of jobseeker's benefit having been made redundant can still claim jobseeker's benefit when they turn 65 until they turn 66 and are eligible for the State contributory pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44935/14]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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If a person exhausts their entitlement to jobseeker’s benefit prior to their 65^thbirthday, on reaching 65 years the customer qualifies for unlimited jobseeker’s benefit up to the date on which they reach pensionable age (66 years) provided they have not less than 156 paid contributions since entering employment, satisfy the relevant contribution conditions and the period of unemployment is continuous.

In order to qualify for unlimited jobseeker’s benefit the scheme conditions of genuinely seeking work and being available for full-time work continue to apply to all jobseekers.

If a person exhausts their entitlement to jobseeker’s benefit or makes a new claim for jobseeker’s benefit during their 65^thyear, they may receive payment beyond 6 or 9 months,whichever is applicable, up to the date on which they reach pensionable age (66 years), provided they have not less than 156 paid contributions since entering employment and they satisfy the relevant contribution conditions.