Louis O'Hara (Galway East, Sinn Fein)
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606. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the payment rates under the new jobseeker's pay related benefit scheme; if top-up payments will be made for any dependents an applicant has; if people are able to apply for the current jobseeker's benefit scheme from 31 March 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7897/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit is a new social insurance income support which will replace the Jobseeker’s Benefit scheme for people who become fully unemployed from 31st March 2025. Government has provided almost €160 million for the scheme in 2025.

Pay-related benefit means that a person's rate of payment will be linked to their previous earnings, subject to maximum and minimum rates. The payment is individualised and does not provided for increases for dependents. Currently the vast majority of claims for Jobseeker's Benefit are made for the personal rate. A person can apply for the means tested Jobseeker’s Allowance scheme if it more beneficial taking their individual circumstances into account.

Under this scheme, the weekly rate of payment for a person with at least 5 years paid PRSI contributions will be set at 60% of previous earnings, up to a maximum of €450 for the first 3 months. After that, the rate will be set at 55% of previous earnings up to a maximum of €375 for the following 3 months. A further 3 months will be paid at the rate of 50%, up to a maximum €300 payment.

For people who have between two and five years paid contributions, the rate will be set at 50% of previous earnings. This will be paid up to a maximum of €300 per week, subject to a maximum duration of 6 months.

The minimum weekly rate of payment for the scheme will be €125.

Jobseeker’s Benefit is being retained for part-time, casual, short-time and seasonal workers, and those whose employment is based around the academic year and who claim Jobseeker's Benefit for periods when they are out of work.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.