Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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99. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the percentage of jobseekers’ payment claimants that have had reduced rates applied to them in 2023, 2024 and 2025 to date; the amount by which jobseekers’ payments have been reduced in total as a result, for each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52261/25]

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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103. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of reduced rates for jobseekers payments that have been applied to recipients with dependent children in 2023, 2024 and to date 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52343/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 99 and 103 together.

In order to satisfy the eligibility criteria to receive a Jobseekers payments a person must be capable of, available for and genuinely seeking work. Failure to satisfy these criteria can lead to a disqualification from the payment.

In addition, Jobseeker's Allowance is a means-tested payment for unemployed people, the rate paid may be affected by a change in earnings, for example, if a person commences work part-time or casually, or if they gain additional working hours. If their spouse commences work this can also impact the rate of jobseeker's payment as the spouse's earnings are also taken into consideration. In these instances the rates of reduction will vary depending on individual circumstances.

A Jobseekers payment may also be reduced where a person fails to engage with the Intreo Employment Service or fails to participate in appropriate employment interventions. The weekly reduced rates applied to Jobseekers Allowance and Jobseekers Benefit recipients who fail to engage with the Intreo Employment Service increased from €44 to €90 from January 2025 and is set at 20% for customers in receipt of the recently introduced Jobseekers Pay Related Benefit.

My Department does not collate statistics on the monetary value of reductions to Jobseekers payments year on year nor does it collate statistics on reductions applied, including where the jobseeker has a child dependent.

The Deputy may wish to note that the vast majority of those who receive jobseeker payments receive a personal rate only, with no increase paid for dependents, in addition the payment rate for the Jobseeker Pay Related Benefit is linked to previous earnings and does not provide for increases for dependents.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.