Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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393. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 184 of 22 March 2023, if she agrees that, during an acute labour shortage in all sectors, it is extraordinary that over 11,000 people aged under 40 years and over 7,700 people in Dublin have been in receipt of jobseeker's for over three years; if there is any point at which payments to these individuals will be permanently suspended; the actions her Department is taking to reduce these numbers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21211/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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“Pathways to Work” is the Government’s national employment strategy, which aims to encourage job creation and reduce long-term unemployment. This strategy sets out the Governments priority to provide employment supports and access to employment opportunities to assist with tackling long-term unemployment. This strategy is working - with the unemployment rate now at 3.9%, which is the lowest level seen in 22 years.

A distinctive client journey has been embedded into the employment services process, whereby jobseekers on the Live Register, after engaging with Intreo in the first twelve months are referred to the Intreo Partner Employment Services. Those who are unemployed after 24 months are referred to an Intreo Partner service, which has been specifically designed to engage with those with greater barriers to the labour market. In this way, the client is referred to the most appropriate service at each point in time on their client journey.

The Public Employment Service offers a range of supports to help people prepare for and secure sustainable employment. The service is delivered, mainly through one-on-one engagements, where a range of options are explored and a personal progression plan is agreed. These plans can include referrals to suitable employment opportunities, training, work placement, education, or support with self-employment.

The Department provides a number of supports to long-term jobseekers to return to employment. The Back to Work Enterprise Allowance is available to those who would like to become self-employed, state employment schemes such as Community Employment and Tús provide direct employment opportunities for the long-term unemployed. The Work Placement Experience Programme helps to break the cycle of ‘no work, no experience’ and ‘no experience, no work’ that often puts people at risk of long-term unemployment. Recruitment subsidies such as JobsPlus, offer a financial incentive of up to €10,000 to employers who hire somebody who is long-term unemployed.

People in receipt of a Jobseeker's payment are required to engage with the Department's mandatory Public Employment Service to assist them to secure and sustain full-time paid employment or self-employment. Failure to engage can result in the reduction or suspension of their payment. One of the statutory conditions for entitlement to a Jobseeker's payment is the requirement for a person to be genuinely seeking full-time work. To satisfy this condition, it is necessary for the person to demonstrate that they are making genuine efforts to secure employment. Control and review measures are undertaken by the Department to ensure compliance with these regulations. Due to Covid-19 reductions in jobseeker's rates were not applied during 2021 and early 2022. The practice resumed in the summer of 2022 and for the second half of 2022 a total of 1,134 reductions were applied.

Finally, my Department's Public Employment Service will continue to work closely with employers to focus on improving employment outcomes for groups that face barriers in accessing the labour market.

Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein)
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394. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her views on the case of a person (details supplied) who received the April bonus payment of €200 but did not receive a second payment of €200 for their spouse, who is a qualified adult on his pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21219/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The person concerned is in receipt of a State Pension (contributory) payment from my Department which includes an Increase for their Qualified Adult.

The Government is acutely aware of the effect that high energy prices and the cost of living are having on families, businesses and the most vulnerable.

In addition to the substantial package of supports provided in Budget 2023, earlier this year the Government announced a €470 million package of measures to help social protection recipients including families, pensioners, carers and people with disabilities.

The Spring Cost of Living Bonus is one of the range of measures put in place. It is one lump sum payment of €200 for each eligible person in receipt of a primary payment in their own right. The €200 lump sum payment was paid week commencing 24/4/2023 to over 1.2 million people in receipt of long-term social welfare payments at a cost of approximately €250 million.

If a person receives more than one qualifying social welfare payment, they will receive only one €200 lump sum payment. Each eligible primary recipient of a social welfare payment receives €200, regardless of the number of dependents (qualified adult or children) if any, or other social welfare payments.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.