Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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500. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if he intends reinstating the service wherein a social welfare inspector travels to the offshore islands to allow those who are in receipt of jobseeker’s allowance to sign on without having to travel to the nearest mainland Intreo office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6186/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Pre Covid, individuals residing on an island and in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance were required to certify continuing eligibility for the payment by completing postal dockets once a month and certifying in person by invitation from their local Intreo Centre.

Following Covid all those in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance have been afforded the opportunity to engage with either in-person certification with a frequency of once a quarter, or monthly online signing with in-person signing by invitation to their local Intreo Centre, as required.

While Social Welfare Inspectors did, and continue to, travel to these offshore islands to meet with customers, it was not to facilitate certification (signing) for Jobseeker’s Allowance.

I hope this clarifies matters for the Deputy.