THE Minister for Social Protection has vowed to conduct an overall review of a new social welfare payment after it was confirmed that four key groups are “excluded” from receiving the cash.
Dara Calleary said he “does not plan” on changing the rules of the scheme to include the category of workers not eligible for the money, which can be worth up to a maximum of €450 each week.
Pay-Related Benefit kicked in for people who became fully unemployed on or after March 31, 2025.
The “landmark” new scheme is designed as a “safety net” for anyone with a long work and PRSI contribution history who becomes unemployed and was not backdated at the time of its introduction.
Some 11,900 jobseeker’s pay-related benefit claims had been awarded under the new scheme.
Those eligible for the new payment – available in three different rates – qualify based on the number of personal PRSI contributions they have made.
However, Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary has confirmed the legislation underpinning the scheme “provides that specific categories of atypical workers are excluded” from the payment.
When questioned by Sinn Fein TD Louise O’Reilly if he is aware that seasonal, casual, short-time or part-time workers such as school caretakers and secretaries can’t apply for the payment, Calleary confirmed he is.
The Fianna Fail TD said: “The origin of this payment is the experience during the Covid period, when many workers lost their incomes suddenly and without warning. The PUP, which was pay-related, helped to cushion the income shock.
“The jobseeker’s pay-related benefit extends the same principle to people who lose their income unexpectedly.
“It links the rate of payment to a person’s previous earnings to provide a financial cushion when a person loses their employment entirely. It allows them to adjust to a period of uncertainty associated with unemployment.
“The scheme aims to support a person during this initial period while they seek alternative employment and adjust their outgoings.
“The legislation underpinning the scheme specifically provides that specific categories of atypical workers are excluded from the jobseeker’s pay-related benefit.
“These exclusions apply to those referred to by the Deputy, who often work on a part-time, casual, short-time or seasonal basis.
“The conditions for the jobseeker’s pay-related benefit scheme are not designed to provide in-work support on a recurring and intermittent basis.”
Calleary said seasonal workers and those whose employment patterns align with the academic year have a “predictable or ongoing” pattern of work and can plan according.
He added: “At this point, I do not plan to include them in the jobseeker’s pay-related benefit scheme.”
HOW MUCH IS NEW PAY-RELATED SCHEME?
THE Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit scheme can be worth a maximum of €450 each month – but the amount a person gets depends on the number of PRSI contributions they have made.
A total of 60 per cent of your prior income will be available for people who have made at least five years worth of PRSI contributions, which amounts to a maximum of €450.
This will be paid for the first three months that a person is unemployed, with a second minimum rate of 55 per cent of your prior income – capped at €375 – being handed out for the following three months.
The third rate will be a maximum of €300 and is based on 50 per cent of the prior income, being paid over the final three months.
The minimum payment rate available is €125 but those over 25 may qualify for more if they have children.
Jobseeker’s Benefit, which was replaced by the Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit, is worth a maximum of €244 each week on a personal rate.
However, O’Reilly hit back at this statement and claimed Calleary did not given “any satisfactory justification” for why the group has been excluded.
She added: “He states they can predict they are going to be unemployed, but even if you know you are going to be broke or are surprised by being broke in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis, you are still broke.”
Calleary said he is “always open” to considering suggestions and confirmed the Department of Social Protection will be reviewing the jobseeker’s pay-related benefit after a year of operation.
OTHER OPTIONS
He added: “As of now, I have no plans to review the scheme but I will certainly be happy to have a discussion with the Deputy in the context of the overall review, which will take place after a year.”
People may get Jobseeker’s Allowance if they don’t qualify for the new Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit.
Those who are a part-time, casual or seasonal worker, a short-time worker, a retained fire fighter or temporarily laid-off work continuously at specific times during the year, can apply for the scheme, worth a maximum of €244.
Jobseeker’s Allowance is a means-tested payment, so your income must be below a certain amount to be eligible.
To get JA, you must be aged 18 or over and under 66.
You must also be fully unemployed – or work for three days a week or less, be available for full-time work or “genuinely seeking” work, be capable of work, pass a means test and meet the habitual residence condition.
