Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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606. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to reduce the delays being experienced by school term workers such as school bus drivers who have to sign on during the summer months but who regularly experience significant delays in getting their payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37263/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The process in respect of all Jobseeker's Payments including part-time workers in the educational sector is kept under review. 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. Issues have arisen in the past where details of accrued holiday pay were not furnished so my Department would encourage that these details be supplied as quickly as possible.

Seasonal workers including educational workers 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 including the 3 waiting days at the start of the claim if it does not link to a previous jobseeker's claim.

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.