John Paul O'Shea (Cork North-West, Fine Gael)
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803. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if he will provide a breakdown, by county, of the number of people who have been in receipt of jobseeker's allowance payment for 12 months or longer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23774/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The number of persons with a Jobseeker's Allowance claim duration of 12 months or longer, by county, are shown in the attached table.  Note that casual Jobseekers who work up to 3 days a week while receiving Jobseeker's Allowance are excluded from the Figures.  Figures refer to the week ending 03 May 2025. 

John Paul O'Shea (Cork North-West, Fine Gael)
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804. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when he plans to publish draft proposals for consultation on the new working age payment which will ensure that inconsistencies within the social welfare system which disincentivise work are removed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23775/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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In line with the Programme for Government committment, my Department is examining a new Working Age Payment which will ensure that individuals always see an increase in income when they work or take on additional hours. An outline of a proposed approach was previously published as part of the strawman consultation process on the introduction of new pay-related benefit.

My Department will now proceed to develop a more detailed consultation process on the Working Age Payment model. I hope to launch this consultation later this year. I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.