Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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1184. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason school secretaries are awaiting payment three-weeks after the closure of primary schools; the reason for the delay; and if she will ensure school secretaries that they will receive their full and due payment during the weeks that schools are closed for summer holidays in 2021. [41324/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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In general, there is no delay in processing jobseeker benefit claims if the relevant claim application forms and supporting documentation are completed by the customer, in a timely manner.

Seasonal workers including school secretaries should apply for jobseeker’s benefit as soon as they become unemployed.

Educational sector workers, who are employed on a temporary basis and who have previously been in contact with the Department, are issued with a repeat jobseeker’s application form and holiday form in advance of the school holiday periods. This advance process facilitates an efficient service to these customers and allows for speedy processing of their claim when the period of unemployment actually arises. However, it is important to note that educational sector workers are still required to sign on for each period of unemployment and satisfy all the qualifying conditions for jobseeker’s benefit.

I want to assure the Deputy that prompt processing of all claims remains a priority for my Department. Scheme areas are monitored on an on-going basis and processing procedures are reviewed to ensure that claims are paid to customers as quickly as possible.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.