Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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43. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if, prior to the change in policy, her Department considered the negative impact of the reduction in unemployment assistance for persons from 18 to 24 years of age, where it forced a certain cohort of young persons below the minimum income thresholds for medical card holders aged between 18 and 24; if she is aware of several cases where this created an extreme burden upon such persons who could not access medical services; the steps she will take to address this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25504/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Policy relating to medical cards and the associated means test to determine eligibility for a Medical Card is the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Health, Deputy Leo Varadkar.

Reduced rates for new jobseeker’s allowance recipients aged 18 and 19 were introduced in 2009. These measures were extended in Budget 2010 with the introduction of a rate of €144 for new jobseeker’s allowance aged 22-24 and further amended in Budget 2014. Young people with children are not affected.

This is a targeted activation measure. Its objective is to incentivise young jobseeker’s to avail of education and training opportunities. Those who avail of training and education are well placed to take full advantage of employment opportunities. If a jobseeker in receipt of the reduced jobseeker’s allowance rate participates on an education or training programme they will receive a higher weekly payment of €160.

The reduced rates for new jobseeker’s allowance recipients were originally introduced as part of the Budget measures in 2009 and 2010 and were approved by Government in that context. Any change to provision in this area would be a matter for Government and would be considered in a Budgetary context.