Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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1826. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason persons (details supplied) on certain work schemes which are seasonal receive a reduced rate of jobseeker's payment during summer, Christmas and Easter periods; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37545/17]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The amount of the person's average reckonable weekly earnings in the Governing Contribution Year (GCY) determines the rate of jobseeker’s benefit payable.The GCY is the second last complete contribution year before the benefit year in which the claim is made.

To qualify for the full rate of jobseeker’s benefit, the weekly earnings in the GCY must be €300.00 or greater. If the average weekly earnings are less than €300, then a lesser rate is payable.

The jobseeker’s benefit rates are graduated according to the person’s average reckonable weekly earnings in the relevant tax year as follows:

Average weekly earningsPersonal rateIncrease for Qualified Adult

less than €150.00€86.70€83.00

€150.00 and less the €220.00€124.60€83.00

€220.00 and less than €300.00€151.20€83.00

€300.00 or more €193.00€128.10

I hope that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.