Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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1405. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the supports or schemes available to qualified post primary teachers who are currently unemployed, particularly in cases where there are no suitable vacancies in their local area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46737/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The main jobseekers’ schemes are Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit and Jobseeker’s Benefit, both of which are based on social insurance contributions, and the means-tested Jobseeker’s Allowance.  All of these jobseekers’ schemes require that a person must be available for and genuinely seeking full-time employment. 

In circumstances where full-time work is not available, and people are working on a part-time or casual basis, the Jobseeker’s Benefit and Jobseeker’s Allowance schemes are available.  These provide that a person can work up to three days per week where they are fully unemployed for at least four in any seven consecutive days.

Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit is not available to people whose employment has a predictable or ongoing pattern of work and who do not experience the income shock from a sudden and permanent loss of employment.  Teachers who are without a permanent contract or a contract of indefinite duration can continue to claim the PRSI-based insurance Jobseeker's Benefit or the means-tested Jobseeker's Allowance.

My department’s Intreo provides an individualised employment support service with the aim of ensuring that all jobseekers have the support they need to help them to find suitable employment.  To this end, Employment Services Officers in Intreo work with jobseekers to develop personalised action plans that will identify the steps they can take to obtain or retain sustainable employment.  These steps may include employment advice, job search support such as CV preparation, interview training, referrals to upskilling programmes and matching jobseekers to suitable job vacancies.

Intreo also works with employers, both directly one-on-one and through hosting bespoke job fairs and local recruitment events.  These events provide opportunities for jobseekers to explore current job vacancies, meet local employers and apply for jobs.

JobsIreland.ie, the Department’s free online recruitment platform is open to all jobseekers and job changers to register, create a profile, upload a CV and apply directly to an employer for roles advertised.

If the Deputy is aware of a specific case she should advise the person to contact their local Intreo Centre who will advise them further.

The Department of Education and Youth may have supports tailored to the specific requirements of qualified post primary and primary teachers.