Eamon Scanlon (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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395. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the compensation and additional supports that will be provided to employees of companies currently involved in stocking and servicing self-service tobacco and vaping vending machines, who are at risk of losing their jobs when the ban under the Public Health (Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill 2024 takes effect on 31 August 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3986/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Social Protection is available to provide income supports to employees who lose their employment. At present, the main social welfare schemes for jobseekers are the social insurance based Jobseeker's Benefit and the means-tested Jobseeker's Allowance. In circumstances where a person has lost days of employment, these schemes provide that a person can work up to 3 days per week and receive income support.

Jobseekers' supports are undergoing a period of reform with the introduction of a new Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit from the end of March 2025, which links the rate of payment with previous earnings. If a person loses their job next August they may be eligible for support under this scheme. Depending on a persons previous earnings and work history, they may be eligible for a weekly payment of up to €450 for the first 3 months of unemployment.

The Department also provides assistance and support to unemployed jobseekers to help them secure employment through the Public Employment Service through the Intreo centres. The service offers practical, tailored employment services and supports for all jobseekers and employers.

I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.