2014. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Social Protection if he is aware that recipients of jobseeker’s transitional payment who work under 30 hours per week are currently required to participate in activation meetings and prescribed schemes or programmes relating to jobseekers; to confirm the basis for applying a 30 hours per week threshold to jobseekers transitional recipients, specifically given that jobseeker’s transitional claimants are statutorily exempt from the full time work condition under s.148A(3) and s.141(2)(a) of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005; and to make a written statement on the matter. [60817/26]

Jobseeker Transitional Payment recipients are not subject to all the Jobseeker Allowance conditions. Recipients are not required to be available for full-time work or to be genuinely seeking work. They are also exempt from the 4 in 7 rule and can work any work pattern and still receive a payment, subject to a means test. Jobseekers Transitional Payment recipients are however obliged to engage with the Department’s Employment Services.

The Department's Intreo service or the Intreo Partner Local Area Employment Service works to support Jobseeker's Transitional Payment recipients. The aim of the Intreo Partner Local Area Employment Service is to support an individual to attain full-time sustainable employment, where full-time work is considered to be 30 hours or more per week.

Through their engagement with the Intreo Partner Local Area Employment Service, Jobseeker Transitional Payment recipients are supported in accessing education, training, and other employment supports. The approach aims to reduce long-term welfare dependency, and associated poverty, among this group. Access to this service and the supports available is designed to enhance the person's skills-set and job-readiness, thereby assisting with their transition into the workforce, and with their subsequent attainment of financial independence.

Jobseeker Transitional Payment recipients are provided with an individualised service and staff work with participants to arrange appointment times to suit their circumstances. Each case is assessed on an individual basis, and a personal progression plan is agreed with each client and their case worker.

Where appropriate, the service supports participants who are engaged in part-time employment to explore opportunities to increase their working hours or progress towards full-time employment. A tailored approach for each individual is taken taking their individual circumstances and caring responsibilities into account. There is no requirement for recipients of Jobseekers Transitional Payment to be available for full-time work or to work a specific number of hours per week.