Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal West, Sinn Fein)
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155. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if he is aware of the hardship endured by adults aged 18-24 who are denied access to the full rate of jobseeker’s allowance; if he is aware of the impact this has on poverty rates among youth jobseeker’s allowance recipients; if he will consider abolishing the reduced rate for people aged 18-24 in light of this impact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21764/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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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.

As of 30 March 2025, the number of jobseekers aged 18 to 24 years who are in receipt of the age related rate of jobseeker’s allowance of €153.70 per week is 9,047.

The Pathways to Work Strategy 2021-2025 is the national employment services strategy and overall framework for activation and employment supports, including young people. My Department is focused on giving young people the best possible chance to participate in the labour market. Supporting and improving the capacity of young people to take up employment, education and training opportunities can enhance their employment prospects over time, as well as their ability to earn an adequate income to support themselves and their families into the future.

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. Over 230 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.

I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.