Brian Stanley (Laois, Independent)
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725. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the supports being made available to school workers who are directly affected by the current strikes that is, bus escorts, who will not be in receipt of payment for the duration of the ongoing strikes by school secretaries and caretakers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47786/25]

Brian Stanley (Laois, Independent)
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726. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if he will be extending the current educational sector worker applications for all those affected until the strike issues are resolved regarding school secretaries and caretakers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47787/25]

Brian Stanley (Laois, Independent)
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728. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if he will consider reviewing the means assessments of those applicants who are directly affected by the current school secretary and caretaker strikes, to remove any means applied following their return to work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47789/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 725, 726 and 728 together.

Social Welfare legislation provides that a person who has lost their employment because of a stoppage of work due to a trade dispute is disqualified for receiving a jobseeker’s payment for the duration of the dispute. However, any person, including bus escorts, school secretaries and caretakers who are directly or indirectly affected by a strike may apply for a jobseeker’s payment.

A Deciding Officer will determine if all the conditions are satisfied for the person to receive a jobseeker’s payment. The Deciding Officer has to consider the information provided whether the person is involved in a trade dispute; and if it is at the persons place of employment; and it has resulted in a stoppage; and the person has lost employment as a result of the stoppage (including whether the stoppage has ended). It should, be noted that each case is different and has to be looked at very carefully to establish the facts of the situation.

Where a person is involved in a trade dispute and in receipt of a means tested social welfare payment, for example, One Parent Family Payment (OFP) or Jobseeker’s Transitional Payment (JST), they are considered to be still in employment for the duration for the dispute. Means from employment will continue to be assessed for the duration of the dispute.

A credited contribution may be awarded for each week that the person is involved in the trade dispute. For a person to be considered for credits they must apply using the UP1 application form and provide all the relevant information.

As the strike action has been withdrawn as of 6th September 2025, schools secretaries and caretakers are working normally as of 8th September 2025 when they returned to work.

Where a person is in financial hardship, they may contact their local Community Welfare Officer for assistance.

Brian Stanley (Laois, Independent)
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727. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if he is considering making payments to those affected by the current strike issues available under the basic supplementary welfare scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47788/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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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 whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependents. Supports provided under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme can consist of a basic weekly payment, a weekly or monthly supplement in respect of certain expenses, as well as Additional Needs Payments.

People who are participating in a trade dispute that causes a stoppage of work are normally excluded from receipt of Supplementary Welfare Allowance. However, they are entitled to make a claim for Supplementary Welfare Allowance in respect of their qualified adult and qualified child dependants, subject to the normal assessment criteria.

Any person who considers they may have an entitlement to Supplementary Welfare Allowance is encouraged to contact their local community welfare service. There is a National Community Welfare Contact Centre in place - 0818-607080 - which will direct callers to the appropriate office. In addition, applications for Additional Needs Payments can be made online via www.mywelfare.ie.