Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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233. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) has been refused jobseeker's benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4707/19]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The person concerned's Jobseekers Benefit payment exhausted on 20/07/16 and he signed for Jobseekers Credits from 24/02/17. He has not made any paid contributions since 2014.

The criteria for extended JB claims for customers aged 65 - 66 years are as follows:

(a) If the period of unemployment is continuous and if the claim is within 2 years of the previous JB claim (Section 62 (6) of SW Consolidation Act 2005 as amended) the same GCY (Governing Contribution Year) applies Section 64 (4).

(b) If the claim is notwithin 2 years of the previous JB claim (Section 62 (6) of SW Consolidation Act 2005 as amended) and the period of unemployment is continuous, a new GCY applies.

(c) If the period of unemployment is broken then it is a new claim and the relevant GCY applies.

The person concerned does not meet the relevant criteria and therefore does not qualify for the extended Jobseekers Benefit payment. He should contact his local Intreo Centre to discuss whether he can avail of any other supports.

I trust this clarifies the matter.