Carol Nolan (Offaly, Independent)
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600. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to outline the entitlements of EU and UK nationals living in Ireland to jobseekers allowance, jobseekers benefit, children’s allowance, and any other additional supplementary or emergency payments; to outline the conditions attached to such claims; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34490/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The eligibility requirements that underpin the social welfare schemes listed, apply to all Irish, UK and EU citizens.

For UK and EU citizens, social welfare entitlements in Ireland are generally protected under a number of bilateral agreements and regulations. Once an EU citizen has established legal residence in Ireland, their rights to social welfare are generally maintained in line with those of Irish citizens. The Common Travel Area arrangement between Ireland and the United Kingdom provides for reciprocal rights to move freely between both countries and provides for associated rights and privileges in both countries, including access to social welfare.

To qualify for Jobseekers Allowance (JA), a person must be aged 18 years or over and under 66 years, be fully unemployed (or work for 3 days a week or less), be available for full-time work and genuinely seeking work, be capable of work, pass a means test and meet the Habitual Residence Condition.

To qualify for Jobseeker's Benefit (JB), a person must be under 66 years, or under 70 years and?deferring their State Pension (Contributory), be unemployed (must be unemployed for at least 4 days out of 7), have had a substantial loss of employment and as a result, be unemployed for at least 4 days out of 7 (this does not apply to casual workers and part-time fire fighters), be capable of work, be available for and genuinely seeking work and, have enough social insurance (PRSI) contributions

To qualify for Child Benefit, a person must be living in Ireland and meet the Habitual Residence Condition, have a child/children under 16 years, or aged 16, 17 or 18 years and in full-time education or training, or are aged 16, 17 or 18 years, have a disability, and be unable to support themselves. Child Benefit is considered a 'Family Benefit' and is exportable to the UK and other EU Member States. According to EU Regulations the EU Member State of employment pays Child Benefit even though the family may reside in another EU Member State.

The Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme is the safety net within the overall social welfare system in that it provides assistance to eligible people in the State. A person will normally qualify for Supplementary Welfare Allowance if they satisfy the following conditions:

• they are living in the State;
• they satisfy the SWA means assessment;
• they have applied for any other benefit or allowance they may be entitled to;
• they have registered for work with a local Intreo Centre if they are of working age;
• they satisfy the Habitual Residence Condition.