Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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516. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of equalising jobseeker payments for those under 26 years of age to the standard rate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14737/19]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The estimated full-year cost of equalising jobseeker payments for those under 26 years of age to the standard rate of €203 per week is €57.75 million.

The cost is on a full-year basis and is based on the estimated number of recipients in 2019.  It should be noted that this cost is subject to change in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients for 2020.

It should also be noted the cost includes proportionate increases for qualified adults and Supplementary Welfare Allowance payments, where relevant.