148. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection if he is aware of a cohort of people in the State with five plus years of PRSI contributions who are only entitled to the minimum rate of jobseeker’s pay-related benefit; if he is aware that this group, due to historically favourable circumstances in the housing market may have had the means to purchase a house, pay off a mortgage or accumulate savings and as such fail the means-test or qualify for a reduced rate of jobseeker’s allowance; if he is aware that this group are often women who historically worked part-time in order to do unpaid care work, who often worked for minimum wage their entire career and whose spouse/civil partner/qualified cohabitant’s income means they fail the means-test or qualify for a reduced rate of jobseeker’s allowance; if he is aware of the hardship incurred on these groups as a result of the limitations of jobseeker’s pay-related benefit; if he will consider extending the scheme to include more of those who fall into former group; if he will consider raising the minimum rate of jobseeker’s pay-related benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33104/25]

Summary

148. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection if he is aware of a cohort of people in the State with five plus years of PRSI contributions who are only entitled to the minimum rate of jobseeker’s pay-related benefit; if he is aware that this group, due to historically favourable circumstances in the housing market may have had the means to purchase a house, pay off a mortgage or accumulate savings and as such fail the means-test or qualify for a reduced rate of jobseeker’s allowance; if he is aware that this group are often women who historically worked part-time in order to do unpaid care work, who often worked for minimum wage their entire career and whose spouse/civil partner/qualified cohabitant’s income means they fail the means-test or qualify for a reduced rate of jobseeker’s allowance; if he is aware of the hardship incurred on these groups as a result of the limitations of jobseeker’s pay-related benefit; if he will consider extending the scheme to include more of those who fall into former group; if he will consider raising the minimum rate of jobseeker’s pay-related benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33104/25]

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• Social Welfare Benefits

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