Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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180. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of restoring jobseeker's allowance rates for those under 26 years of age to the rate received by those over 26 years of age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28349/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Reduced rates for younger jobseeker’s allowance recipients were first introduced in 2009. Budget 2014 further extended the reduced rates of jobseeker’s allowance to recipients under 26 years of age. This is a targeted measure aimed at protecting young people from welfare dependency. It aims to incentivise young jobseeker’s allowance recipients to avail of education and training 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.

Based on data from June, 2015 the additional full year cost for my Department of providing a weekly rate of €188 for all Jobseeker’s Allowance recipients aged 25 and under is some €146.4 million. However, it should be noted that such an increase will also have cost implications for the Department of Education and Skills as it will impact on the allowances paid by the Education and Training Boards. Any change to provision in this area would be a matter for Government to consider in a Budgetary context.