Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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37. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on categories of social welfare recipients and persons who are signing on and are eligible to apply for JobBridge; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48911/14]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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44. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if persons who are participating in a JobBridge scheme which is not within commuting distance of their home are entitled to a rent allowance or any other additional payment while participating in the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49066/14]

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 37 and 44 together.

JobBridge is open to jobseekers with a live claim who have been in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance, Jobseekers Benefit, Jobseeker Transition Payment, One Parent Family Payment, Disability Allowance or who are signing for social insurance contribution credits for a minimum of 3 months within the previous 6 months. I am currently reviewing whether eligibility should be expanded to include people in receipt of a Blind Pension payment.

Participation in JobBridge does not change a jobseeker's underlying entitlement to other Social Welfare payments. The purpose of the €50 top-up which is paid in addition to a person's underlying social welfare payment is to help defray additional costs, such as travel costs, associated with undertaking an internship.