Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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385. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person (details supplied) qualifies for jobseeker's benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30943/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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All Jobseekers’ applications are examined in the first instance to assess eligibility for Jobseeker’s Benefit (JB) with the option of Jobseeker’s Allowance (JA) should a customer not qualify for JB or qualify for JB at a lower rate.

The person concerned submitted a Jobseeker’s application with effect from 30/9/2020. She did not qualify for JB on the basis that she had no paid Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) contributions in the relevant governing contribution year, which was 2018. The person concerned was then assessed for JA which is a means-tested payment but was found to have means in excess of the prescribed limit for receipt of this income support and therefore did not qualify.

A decision letter issued to the person concerned on 9/10/2020 advising her of the outcome of her application and informing her of the option to appeal the decision of the deciding officer to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office.

If the person concerned is not satisfied with the decision, it is open to her to appeal the decision within 21 days of the decision date.

I trust this clarifies the matter.