Carol Nolan (Offaly, Independent)
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820. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if he is aware of concerns among childcare sector workers that they must claim jobseeker’s benefit for every school holiday; if there are plans to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24205/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Educational Sector Workers (ESWs) including those working in the Early Years Childcare Sector, who wish to avail of income support while temporarily laid-off during the school breaks can apply for a jobseeker’s payment. They must satisfy all the qualifying conditions to receive a payment. This includes completing the relevant claim application forms and supporting documentation a in a timely manner while also being available for full-time work and genuinely seeking work at each school break.

A jobseeker’s payment is only paid for days of unemployment where the person is not being remunerated for by their employer, including receipt of any holiday pay entitlement during the school break.

Educational Sector Workers, including the Early Years Childcare Sector, who are employed on a temporary basis and who have previously been in contact with the Department, are issued with a repeat jobseeker’s application form and holiday form in advance of the school holiday periods. This advance process facilitates an efficient service to these customers and allows for speedy processing of their claim when the period of unemployment actually arises.

It is important to note that Educational Sector Workers are still required to sign on for each period of unemployment and satisfy all the qualifying conditions for Jobseeker’s Benefit. As each claim is assessed individually, and each person's employment history, including previous claims is different, the payment due will also be different.

It should be noted, there is no specific scheme available for Educational Sector Works when they are temporarily laid-off during all the school breaks. The appropriate scheme is jobseeker’s subject to the person meeting all the qualifying conditions. I would advise that those in the Early Years Childcare Sector who feel that satisfy all the qualifying conditions for a payment to apply when they are temporary laid-off from their employment at school breaks.

The easiest and fastest way for a person to make their claim for jobseeker's is online through their verified MyWelfare.ie account. Alternatively, a paper jobseeker's application form may be completed and submitted to the local Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office.

I trust this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.