Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, United Left)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

74. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will review the requests her Department made for a person (details supplied) to be applying for 200 to 300 jobs a week; and her views on the other issues that are raised in the timeline. [40094/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Jobseeker's allowance provides means tested income support to persons subject to the contingency of involuntary unemployment. It is a fundamental qualifying condition of the scheme that a person must be available for and genuinely seeking full-time work.

In the case of the person concerned a determination was made by a Deciding Officer that he was not genuinely seeking work in accordance with statutory criteria. Determinations in respect of jobseeker’s allowance claims often require detailed interviews with customers. A number of such interviews were held with the person concerned but no requirement to apply for an excessive number of positions was advanced in respect of this case.

As advised in the reply to the Deputy’s previous question last week on this case (ref: 37231-15), the person concerned has lodged an appeal against the decision with the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office and consideration of the matter rests with that office.

The entitlement of the person concerned to rent supplement is currently under review.