1198. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will consider addressing the existing gap in the jobseeker's allowance payment which does not provide bereavement leave for citizens in receipt of this payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42458/26]

1199. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will consider widening the existing scope provided for as 'holiday leave' for citizens in receipt of the jobseeker's allowance payment to also include family bereavements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42459/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1198 and 1199 together.

Jobseeker’s Allowance is a means-tested social welfare payment for people who are unemployed. To be eligible for the payment a person must satisfy the statutory conditions of the scheme including being capable of work, available for full-time work and be genuinely seeking work.

Similar to other jobseeker's payments, a person in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance may be entitled to payment for up to two weeks' holidays in any calendar year, either abroad or in Ireland. They must inform the Intreo Centre/Social Welfare Branch Office in advance and complete the relevant form. They will receive payment on their return. If a person exceeds their two-week entitlement, the payment may be stopped on the basis that the person is or was not available for full-time work.

My Department endeavours to treat people who have suffered a bereavement with compassion. In addition to these holiday arrangements, a degree of flexibility may be afforded to customers who suffer a family bereavement, in terms of signing arrangements for jobseeker's payments and required engagement with my Department's Intreo Employment Services process, where the customer notifies their Intreo Centre/Branch Office in advance.

I understand however that there will always be exceptional cases, and it is for this reason that my Department provides Additional Needs Payments as part of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme. While Additional Needs Payments are not intended as a substitute for a primary scheme payment, they can be made to help meet essential expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income or other personal and household resources, taking into account all the relevant circumstances of the case.

Any person who considers that they may have an entitlement to Supplementary Welfare 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.