Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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657. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason seasonal workers (details supplied) cannot avail of the new jobseeker's pay related benefit. [16521/25]

Joe Cooney (Clare, Fine Gael)
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662. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a person whose employment is based around the school or academic year is excluded from the job seeker’s pay related benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16657/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 657 and 662 together.

Jobseeker's Pay-Related Benefit is a new social insurance income support which has replaced Jobseeker's Benefit for people who become fully unemployed from 31 March 2025 and who satisfy the 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.

The intention of the Jobseeker's Pay-Related Benefit scheme is to provide a financial cushion when a person loses their employment and adjusts to a period of uncertainty associated with being fully unemployed. The scheme will support a person during this period and support them while they seek alternative employment and adjust their outgoings.

Workers in the education system may claim income support where they are out of work and are not receiving a salary or wage, for example during holiday periods. The nature of this employment involves a recurring and predictable pattern of employment and unemployment reflecting the dates of the academic year. People whose employment is based around the academic year will continue to be eligible for income support under the Jobseeker's Benefit or Jobseeker's Allowance schemes as appropriate.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.