Written answers

Tuesday, 16 May 2017

Department of Social Protection

Jobseeker's Allowance

Photo of John BradyJohn Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

285. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if he or his Department has received correspondence from the National University of Ireland, Maynooth, relating to the report being conducted by the college on the impact of reduced jobseeker's payments for those aged under 26 years, as committed to in Pathways to Work, including any draft copy of the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23229/17]

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Lower weekly rates for younger jobseekers were first introduced in 2009 and further extended in subsequent Budgets. The rationale for these rates is to prevent young unemployed people from entering longer term welfare dependency by providing a strong financial incentive to take up a job, training or education programme. Should a young jobseeker on a reduced jobseeker’s allowance payment participate on an education or training programme they will receive a higher weekly payment of €160. This rate will be further increased to €193 per week from September 2017.

The National University of Ireland, Maynooth (NUIM) is undertaking a piece of research at the moment which is examining the effectiveness of the reduced rates in encouraging young jobseekers to avail of education, training, employment programmes and opportunities. My Department has not commissioned the NUIM to undertake this research, rather, as part of an effort to encourage and promote research my Department has facilitated the NUIM access to the data from the Jobseeker’s Longitudinal Database in order to undertake this research. Initial results of the research were published as a working paper in April 2017 and this is available on the NUIM website.

Under Pathways to Work 2016-2020, my Department is committed to review and report on the impact of the reduced payment rates for jobseekers aged 18 to 25. This review will be finalised this year, and will take account of the results of the NUIM research.

With effect from March 2017, rates of jobseeker’s payments were increased for claimants of all ages as a result of measures I introduced in Budget 2017. I have no plans for any further increases in rates at present. Any such changes could only be considered in a budgetary context.

I am committed to ensuring my Department identifies effective measures to incentivise and support young people in finding and securing sustainable jobs. The best way to do this is through engagement processes and by incentivising them to avail of educational and training opportunities, thereby enhancing their employment prospects.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.