Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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785. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if he will consider equalising jobseeker’s payments for persons under 25 with those over 25, in light of recent polling showing that three in five young adults are considering emigration due to the cost-of-living crisis. [48781/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Age-related rates apply to 18 to 24 year olds in receipt of the means-tested Jobseeker's Allowance scheme and are designed to prevent long-term welfare dependency. Age-related reduced rates do not apply to all young jobseekers and some exceptions are applied including those with qualified children or where they are living independently of the family home and are in receipt of state housing supports such as the housing assistance payment.

I am committed to supporting young people by giving them the best possible chance to participate in the labour market. Supporting and improving the capacity of young people to take up employment, education and training opportunities will enhance their employment prospects over time, as well as their ability to earn an adequate income to support themselves and their families into the future. If a young jobseeker participates in education or training, they receive up to the maximum weekly personal rate of Jobseeker’s Allowance of €244. If they participate on the Work Placement Experience Programme the weekly rate increases up to €359.

My Department offers a range of supports to assist young people into education or training. The Intreo Employment Service delivers targeted employment services to young jobseekers that are tailored to individual needs. The services offered may include access to further education and training opportunities, work experience, employment and job search advice. In addition, the updated Employment and Youth Engagement Charter calls on employers to commit to using government employer incentives and supports, and to recruit priority customers, including young people.

The Pathways to Work Strategy 2021-2025 is the government’s national employment services strategy and overall framework for activation and employment supports, including young people.

I have launched a public consultation for a new Pathways to Work 2026-2030 national employment strategy which will last until 30 September 2025.

Any changes in social welfare rates will be considered in a budgetary context, within the scope of the overall resources available for welfare improvements and with consideration to other social welfare schemes.