Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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286. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when the jobseeker’s allowance will be reinstated in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46506/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The person concerned applied for a Jobseeker’s Allowance (JA) payment with effect from 09/09/2022 after her entitlement to Jobseeker’s Benefit expired on 02/06/2022. JA is a means tested payment. A means test is an assessment of all household income, savings, shares, investments or property that a person owns, apart from their own home. The means test also includes any income that a spouse, civil partner or cohabitant has.

On 15/09/2022 a decision letter issued to the person concerned to advise that her means were in excess of her JA entitlement. Following the means assessment undertaken by my officials, the person concerned was deemed to have weekly means of €463 which is in excess of the prescribed limit of €434 for a person with her family circumstances. Means were derived from her spouses earnings declared in her application.

If the person concerned is not satisfied with this decision she may send in any facts or evidence to my Department. A Deciding Officer will review the decision. The person can also appeal to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office.

I trust this clarifies the matter.