103. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons who have applied for the job seekers allowance or job seekers benefit who listed their previous employment as farming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67163/26]

Jobseeker's Allowance is a means-tested payment for unemployed people who satisfy the qualifying conditions.  Jobseeker's Benefit and Jobseeker's Pay-Related Benefit are social insurance-based payments for unemployed people who satisfy the relevant contribution and eligibility conditions.

At the end of August 2026, there were 298 recipients of Jobseeker's Allowance, Jobseeker's Benefit and Jobseeker's Pay-Related Benefit who had reported their previous employment as farming when applying for their payment.  This figure relates to recipients of these payments and not to the number of applicants.

For the purposes of this reply, "farming" includes persons who reported their previous occupation as being in categories of Farmers, Landowners and Managers in Horticulture, Forestry and Fishing.  These categories are based on self-reported information provided when a person applies for a jobseeker payment.

Farm Assist is a means-tested income support payment for low-income farmers. Recipients of Farm Assist are not included in this figure.  The figure does not include recipients of Short-Time Work Support, Jobseeker's Benefit (Self-Employed) or the Benefit Payment for 65 Year Olds.