Written answer
Social Welfare Code
Teachers and other seasonal education workers remain excluded from pay-related jobseeker’s benefit, with no current plans to change eligibility.
770. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Social Protection the rational for the exclusion of teachers and others in the education sector from accessing jobseeker's pay related benefit; and if his Department will re-examine this with a view to allowing them to apply for the payment when they become unemployed. [65056/26]
Comment on this
Jobseeker's Pay-Related Benefit was introduced on 31 March 2025 as a social insurance-based income support for people who become fully unemployed and who satisfy the qualifying conditions of the scheme.
The purpose of the Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit scheme is to ensure that those who experience a permanent loss of employment are better supported to meet the unexpected income shock.
The legislation underpinning the scheme provides that specific categories of atypical workers are not eligible for Jobseeker's Pay-Related Benefit scheme and continue to be supported under the Jobseeker's Benefit scheme. These exclusions apply to people who are working on a part-time, casual or seasonal basis, including those who have a recurring pattern of employment and unemployment aligned with the academic year.
The conditions for the Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit scheme are not designed to provide income support on a recurring and intermittent basis. Workers whose employment patterns align with the academic year have a predictable or recurring pattern of employment and unemployment and do not experience the same income shock from a sudden and unexpected loss of employment.
Teachers and others in the education sector who are out of contract during the school holidays can continue to claim the PRSI-based Jobseeker's Benefit scheme or the means-tested Jobseeker's Allowance. There has been no change to the income supports to which such persons are entitled since the introduction of Jobseeker's Pay-Related Benefit.
People who have an intermittent working pattern may not satisfy the social insurance contributions or requirements necessary to qualify or re-qualify for Jobseeker's Pay-Related Benefit, which differ from that under Jobseeker’s Benefit. This could result in them being without a payment for periods in which they would normally receive an income support.
There are currently no plans to amend these provisions. However, my Department keeps all social welfare schemes under review in light of policy developments, legislative requirements and available resources.