Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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57. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of persons under 26 years of age who are currently in receipt of jobseeker's allowance; the number of these who are eligible to receive the Christmas bonus; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41945/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The jobseeker’s allowance schemes provide income support for people who have lost work and are unable to find alternative full-time employment. The Revised 2015 Estimates for the Department provide for expenditure this year on the jobseekers’ schemes of €3.01 billion.

In line with other EU and OECD jurisdictions reduced rates for jobseeker’s allowance recipients were first introduced in 2009 and further extended in 2014.

Reduced rates for those under 26 years of age is a targeted measure aimed at protecting young people from welfare dependency. If a young person does not improve their skills, it will be much more difficult for them to avail of job opportunities as the economy recovers and they are at risk of becoming long term unemployed from a young age. The measure 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.

The Christmas Bonus is payable to customers who have been in receipt of jobseekers allowance for more than 15 months. Budget 2016 increased the amount of this bonus from 50% to 75% of the normal weekly payment amount subject to a minimum payment of €20. The bonus payment will be included in the normal weekly payment in the week commencing 30 November 2015.

Based on data at the end of October 2015, there are approximately 38,000 jobseekers aged 25 and under and it is estimated that 22,000 of these may be eligible for the Christmas Bonus.