Written answers

Wednesday, 21 October 2020

Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Jobseeker's Benefit

Photo of Pádraig O'SullivanPádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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155. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the qualifying criteria for a person returning here to work who needs to have their PRSI contributions made in the United Kingdom added to their PRSI contributions recorded here without delay in order to allow them apply for jobseeker’s benefit in view of the fact this person already satisfies the habitual residency condition; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31876/20]

Photo of Pádraig O'SullivanPádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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156. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person that was working in the UK, but is resident in Ireland, can apply for jobseeker's benefit by adding their PRSI contributions from the UK; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31877/20]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 155 and 156 together.

The United Kingdom (UK) left the European Union (EU) on the 31st January 2020, and is in a transition period until the 31st December 2020. During this time the existing EU acquis will continue to apply to the UK, and with respect to social security coordination that is achieved through EC Regulation 883 of 2004. Under this regulation, contributions made in one Member State may be aggregated with contributions made in another Member State, to support an entitlement to benefits including jobseeker benefits.

In the case of a person who worked in the UK but resided in Ireland, there are particular rules that may apply. In such cases if the person becomes wholly unemployed then it is the State of residence to whom they should apply for unemployment benefits. If the person becomes partially or intermittently unemployed then it the State of employment to whom they should apply for unemployment benefits. The entitlement to benefits is then subject to the national rules that pertain.

The qualification criteria for jobseekers benefit include that a person must be fully or partly unemployed, be under 66 years of age, be capable of and available for full time work, be genuinely seeking employment, and have enough paid or credited social insurance contributions at the relevant contribution class being A, H or P.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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