Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin (Wicklow-Wexford, Sinn Fein)
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1893. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason the new pay-related benefit for a person out of work (details supplied) does not account for dependants; the reason a single person can get the same as a family of four; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44237/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The new Jobseeker's Pay-Related Benefit was introduced at the end of March this year, replacing Jobseeker's Benefit for people who have become fully unemployed since the commencement of the scheme on 31 March.

Jobseeker's Pay-Related Benefit means that the income support is directly linked to a person's previous earnings, subject to maximum and minimum rates, rather than family composition. The vast majority of people receive a higher rate of payment under the new pay-related approach with over 92% of jobseekers having previously only claimed a personal rate of payment.

A person who is fully unemployed can apply for the means-tested Jobseeker's Allowance, which is based on family composition, where it may be more financially beneficial for them to do so. The maximum rates of payment under Jobseeker's Allowance are aligned with those under the Jobseeker's Benefit scheme.

Thomas Gould (Cork North-Central, Sinn Fein)
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1894. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of fuel allowance applications rejected in Cork to date in 2025. [44314/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Fuel Allowance is a means tested payment to assist pensioners and other long-term social welfare dependent householders with their winter heating costs. The payment is a contribution towards heating costs, it is not intended to meet these costs in full. The payment is made at the weekly rate of €33.00 or, if preferred, by way of two lump sum payments and is paid over the winter season (28 weeks from end of September to early April). Only one Fuel Allowance is payable per household.

Current figures indicate that at end June 2025, approximately 410,000 households are qualified for Fuel Allowance. Those who qualified for Fuel Allowance last year automatically receive the payment again this year provided they continue to fulfil the eligibility requirements. They do not therefore need to re-apply.

Due to the administration of Fuel Allowance payments across different IT platforms, accurate numbers of claims disallowed by county are not readily available.