Grace Boland (Dublin Fingal West, Fine Gael)
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1419. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if he will address the delays in processing social welfare claims for Early Years Educators during the summer months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47178/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Educational Sector Workers, including Early Years Educators, who are not paid outside of school term time and who wish to avail of income support while temporarily laid-off during the school breaks can apply for a jobseeker’s payment. The person applying must satisfy all the qualifying conditions to receive a payment. This includes completing the relevant claim application forms and providing supporting documentation in a timely manner while also being available for full-time work and genuinely seeking work at each school break.

Over the last number of years my Department has dedicated teams working solely on Education Sector Workers claims in order to streamline processes and minimise delays for people. As each claim is assessed individually, and each person's employment and claim history is different, the payment due will also be different.

Educational Sector Workers, including Early Years Educators, who have previously had a claim with my Department are issued with a repeat jobseeker’s application form and a holiday entitlement 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 claims when the period of unemployment actually arises.

In addition, my Department is working on technical enhancements that will improve the processing of these Jobseekers applications.

If any customer is in urgent financial need my Department’s Community Welfare Service may provide assistance.

I trust this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.