Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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39. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the status of the review being carried out on the effects that cuts to relevant social protection payments have had on seasonal workers in counties such as Donegal; when the review is likely to be completed and published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8478/17]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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During the Dáil report stage debate on the Social Welfare Bill 2016, I agreed that I would ask my officials to examine the issue of jobseeker’s benefit and the treatment of part-time and seasonal workers, including those categorised as having subsidiary employment. Work has commenced with a view to having a report ready by the end of March / early April 2017. This report will be presented to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection for their consideration. This timeframe for this report is ambitious but I am committed to producing the report as quickly as possible. It is important in the interests of equity and fairness that the conditions for receipt of jobseeker’s benefit apply to all recipients, including those who could be categorised as seasonal and part-time workers.

Where a person exhausts his or her entitlement to jobseeker’s benefit, he or she must pay 13 additional PRSI contributions to requalify. If a seasonal or a part time worker meets this requirement they may requalify for jobseeker’s benefit.

This requirement is in place to ensure the person has a reasonable connection with the labour market before he or she can requalify. If a person does not re-qualify for jobseeker’s benefit or has used up his or her entitlement to jobseeker's benefit, then he or she can apply for jobseeker’s allowance, which is a means-based payment paid at the same weekly rate as jobseeker’s benefit.