Eamon Scanlon (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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547. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a jobseeker's allowance payment for a person (details supplied) has been reduced; if the file will be reviewed in view of a change of circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3768/19]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The person concerned was awarded Jobseekers Benefit, a PRSI contribution based payment(JB) on 21-Sep-2018 at a reduced rate of € 88.90 per week. This was based on the contributions paid and the rate of earnings while in employment. He was advised by INTREO staff of his right to apply for a means tested Jobseekers Allowance (JA), payment and made a claim for same effective from the same date.

A Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA)payment of € 107.10 per week was being paid a pending a final decision on his JA claim. The combination of payments brought the total received to €196.00 per week. Both JA and SWA payments are subject to a means test and certain other scheme rules. SWA payment was stopped as and from 12th December 2018 pending the outcome of an investigation of circumstances. The payment of €88.90 per week continues to be paid whilst the investigation is ongoing. Should the customer wish to discuss these matters in greater detail he should contact his local Intreo Centre.

This investigation is ongoing and will be concluded in early course, when a decision on the claim will be made.

I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.