Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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509. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position regarding a social welfare applicant (details supplied) in Dublin 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15402/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Jobseeker's Pay-Related Benefit is a new social insurance income support which replaces the Jobseeker's Benefit scheme for people whose first day of unemployment is on or after 31 March 2025 and who satisfy the statutory conditions for the scheme. Pay-related benefit means that a person's rate of payment will be linked to their previous earnings, subject to maximum and minimum rates. Government has provided almost €160 million for the scheme in 2025.

A commencement date is required for the introduction of any new scheme. The Commencement Order provides that this scheme comes into operation on 31 March 2025. The scheme is available to those whose unemployment begins on or after this date as provided for in section 68KB(1)(d) of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005, as amended.

The existing Jobseeker's Benefit scheme is available for people who became unemployed before that date and such customers will remain on Jobseeker's Benefit until they return to employment, subject to the normal rules of that scheme.

If a person is experiencing financial difficulty he may have an entitlement to Additional Needs Payment (ANP) from the Department of Social Protection to help meet essential expenditure which an eligible person could not reasonably be expected to meet from their weekly income.

ANPs are means tested and administered by Community Welfare Officers in the Community Welfare Service considering the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case. A means test is an assessment of all of the applicant’s household income, savings, shares, investments, or property that they own, apart from their own home. A means test will also include any income that their spouse, civil partner or cohabitant has. As part of the application process, a person must provide personal, financial, household, and other information in support of their claim to determine eligibility and to establish a need as considered necessary.

A customer can apply for an ANP by completing a SWA1 form. This form is available in all Intreo Centres and can also be requested by calling the National CWS freephone line at 0818 60 70 80 or at www.eforms.gov.ie/en/forms/5. Alternatively, where a customer has a verified MyGovID account, they can apply for an ANP at www.MyWelfare.ie.

I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.