Liam Quaide (Cork East, Social Democrats)
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785. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reasons no increases for child or adult dependants are paid with jobseeker's pay-related benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23175/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Jobseeker's Pay-Related Benefit is a new social insurance income support which has replaced the Jobseeker's Benefit scheme for people who become fully unemployed and whose first day of unemployment is on or after 31 March 2025.

Jobseeker's Pay-Related Benefit means that the income support is directly linked to a person's previous earnings rather than family composition. Prior to the introduction of the new scheme, the majority of Jobseeker's Benefit claims, over 92% of the total, were paid at a personal rate; in other words, without an increase for a qualified adult or a child support payment, indicating that this form of support is not appropriate for the vast majority of customers.

Jobseeker's Benefit is being retained for employees working short-time, part-time, casual, or on a seasonal basis and this group will not have any change to their current arrangements.

As is currently the case with Jobseeker's Benefit, the means-tested Jobseeker's Allowance scheme is available to any person where it may be financially more beneficial.

I trust that clarifies the issue for the Deputy.