Hanafin Targets Funding For Jobseekers In Most Need

Minister Hanafin said that all of the agencies and relevant Government Departments are responding in a co-ordinated way to help people move off the Live Register and back into employment, education or training.

Responding to criticism of Budget changes from Labour's Roisin Shortall, Minister Hanafin said, "we have seen a significant increase in the number of people claiming benefits from the Social Insurance Fund and less money available to pay for their claims, our priority must be to assist people who have limited or no household income.

"Providing for the expected increase in the Live Register alone accounts for an extra €1.25 billion in Social Welfare spending next year.

"It has therefore been necessary to limit the amount of time that people can qualify for a Jobseekers payment without having to satisfy a means test," said the Minister.

As of Budget day, new claimants, and those who had been claiming for less than six months, will be able to receive Jobseekers Benefit for 12 months (down from 15 months).

Where the claimant has less than 260 paid contributions, the maximum duration of Jobseekers Benefit will be 9 months (down from 12 months) if the claimant has been in receipt of benefit for less than three months and in respect of all new claimants.