Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independents 4 Change)
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503. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to introduce new social welfare rates in response to a query raised by a person (details supplied). [4578/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I recently launched a public consultation on proposals for a new pay-related benefit for jobseekers.  This builds on commitments in the Programme for Government, the Economic Recovery Plan and Pathways to Work.

A pay-related benefit means that the amount of benefit an eligible person receives when they become fully unemployed is directly linked to their previous earnings, subject to a maximum payment.  This is intended to provide a more effective cushion against the income shock when a person loses their employment and would bring Ireland in line with other European countries.

I published a 'Strawman' proposal in December last year which sets out the broad guidelines of a new approach to a pay-related jobseeker's benefit. It is not a final design.  The objective of the draft proposal is to invite feedback through a national public consultation process to develop a preferred policy design.  Submissions are due by 28th February 2023.

As part of the public consultation process, my Department will host a stakeholder event on 10th February 2023.  This is open to stakeholder groups and members of the public. 

Full details of how to register for the stakeholder event and how to make a written submission on the proposals for a new pay-related benefit for jobseekers are available on the Department's website at gov.ie.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.