Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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673. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if his Department will conduct an updated poverty impact assessment of age-related rates of jobseeker's for young people aged 18-24 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17004/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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A Poverty Impact Assessment of age related rates for young Jobseekers was carried out and finalised in December 2020. The report is available on the Government's website.

Age-related reduced rates apply to jobseekers aged 18 to 24 years in receipt of Jobseeker's Allowance to prevent long-term welfare dependency. If a young jobseeker participates in education or training, they receive up to the maximum personal rate of Jobseeker’s Allowance of €244. If they participate on the Work Placement Experience Programme the weekly rate increases up to €359.

In line with the findings in the earlier assessment, the youth employment policy focuses supports specifically targeted to young jobseekers assisting their transition into education or training. The Pathways to Work Strategy 2021-2025 is the government’s national employment services strategy and overall framework for activation and employment supports, including young people. In addition, the updated Employment and Youth Engagement Charter calls on employers to commit to using government employer incentives and supports, and to recruit priority customers, including young people. Some 233 employers signed up to the Charter as of March 2025 and it is expected that the target of 300 by the end of 2025 will be met.

There are no plans to carry out an updated poverty impact assessment at this time.

I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.